newsmakers – Pacific Maritime Magazine

01 Oct

LA Harbor Board Gains New Member

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, pola

California State Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez is the newest member of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, the agency that governs the Port of L.A. The Sept. 20 announcement came following the Los Angeles City Council’s unanimous approval of Pérez’s appointment. Pérez, an L.A. Mayor Karen Bass nominee, brings a breadth of experience in labor and government, including serving on the Board of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, California League of Conservation Voters and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. He was elected to the California Assembly to represent Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas in…

17 Sep

TraPac Names New President-CEO

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsdpworld, newsmakers, psa, TraPac

Cameron Thorpe, the former chief executive officer of container handling company PSA Belgium, is the new president and CEO of TraPac, which operates container terminals at the Los Angeles and Oakland seaports, TraPac Holdings, LLC said Sept. 5. Thorpe, who officially began his new role Sept. 9, is tasked with leading “the company’s overall performance, with a strong emphasis on safety, environmental stewardship, customer satisfaction, operational excellence and governance,” the company said. Thorpe brings to the table more than 30 years of experience in global container shipping and terminal business. At PSA Belgium, he oversaw a program that bolstered capacity…

03 Sep

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Names New Deputy Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, pnwa

Dena Horton is the new deputy director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the Portland-based organization announced Aug. 15. PNWA is a nonprofit trade association advocating on behalf of more than 150 ports, trade, agricultural and other stakeholders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho for federal policy and funding. Horton, who joined the association as its government relations director in 2019, brings to her new role experience at the federal and regional level and a deep understanding of the association’s projects and issues, PNWA said. Her experience includes being the Southwest Washington outreach director for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) for more…

03 Sep

Port of Coos Bay Hires First Female CEO

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscoosbay, newsmakers

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has named Lanelle Comstock its new CEO, making her the first woman to hold the top job at the port. Also, Melissa Cribbins is now the head of the seaport’s Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project, Coos Bay announced Aug. 13. Comstock, who had been serving as interim CEO since June, has worked in various roles at the port for the past 12 years, including chief administration officer. “Her appointment as permanent CEO is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to the port’s mission of fostering economic development and sustainable operations,” the…

27 Aug

Port of LA Names New Deputy Executive Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, pola

Erica Calhoun has been named deputy executive director of the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department’s Administrative Bureau, the Port of LA announced Aug. 22. In this newly created role, Calhoun will be in charge of the port’s risk management, contracts and purchasing, the Commission Office and human resources for the department’s close to 900 employees. She would lead the Harbor Department as acting executive director whenever Executive Director Gene Seroka is away, according to the announcement. Before joining the port in 2012, she was the assistant officer in charge in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Budget Section and served…

20 Aug

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Names New Construction Sales VP

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newseverettshiprepair, NBBB, newsmakers

Lacey Greene, a second-generation shipbuilder who started with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) 20 years ago, has been appointed NBBB’s new vice president of new construction sales, the Freeland, Washington-based company has announced. Greene, who rejoined the company in mid-July, is deeply connected to NBBB and sister company Everett Ship Repair. Her career journey at NBBB and ESR is a testament to her dedication and passion for the industry, CEO Gavin Higgins said. “Lacey’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence will drive our growth and strengthen our position as a leader in shipbuilding,” he remarked. Greene’s father worked for Nichols…

13 Aug

Oakland Board of Port Commissioners Elects New President

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, portofoakland

Michael Colbruno has been elected president of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners by his peers for a second time, the port has announced. He was unanimously chosen by the seven-member board as its leader on July 15, along with Andreas Cluver as first vice president. Outgoing president Barbara Leslie was named second vice president. Colbruno has been on the board since 2013 and previously served its president from July 2016 to July 2017. Colbruno, a partner in government affairs and public advocacy firm Milo Group of California, has extensive legislative and governmental experience and has long supported environmental efforts…

13 Aug

Gunderson Marine Makes Leadership Changes

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsdeeburch, greenbrier, gunderson, newsmakers

Longtime maritime industry leader Dee Burch has taken the reins at Gunderson Marine & Iron, the Portland, Oregon-based shipbuilder announced Aug. 5. With the recent acquisition of all Gunderson shares, Burch is now the sole proprietor and president of the company, which operates a 58-acre industrial site on the waterfront. “My transition to an active role in the organization is both a profound honor and a tremendous responsibility,” Burch said in a statement. “I am committed to continuing this rich tradition of excellence in barge building while expanding our capabilities in other complex fabrication including bridges, hydro, ships, tugs and…

30 Jul

Crowley Names Sales and Supply VP for Alaska Businesses Unit

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscrowley, fuels, newsmakers

Longtime maritime expert Walter Tague has been appointed vice president of sales and supply of Crowley Fuels’ businesses unit, which provides energy logistics services in Alaska, the company announced July 18. In his new role, Tague is expected to manage Crowley’s marketing, sales, customer relations and procurement of refined product supply for the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic markets, the company said. Tague, who started with Crowley in 1999, brings more than three decades of experience in the industry to the position, particularly in supply chain management and support in the oil and gas sectors, according to the company. He’s had…

30 Jul

Curtin Maritime Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscurtinmaritime, newsmakers

Finance executive Sandra Grujic has been hired as the new chief financial officer for Curtin Maritime, the Long Beach, Calif.-based maritime services company announced July 18. In her new position, she’ll help guide policy and financial goals for the company, Curtin said. As a former finance and accounting executive at Crowley Maritime, Grujic contributed to that company’s growth and profitability and her track record in offering “strategic oversight and leadership aligns with Curtin Maritime’s ambitions and goals,” according to Curtin. “We are so excited to welcome Sandra to the Curtin Maritime family,” Curtin Maritime CEO Martin Curtin said. “Her expertise…