AAPA Seaports
AAPA Adds Top Political Communicator to Advocacy Team
AAPA welcomed Shawn Balcomb to its government relations team as Manager of Public Affairs. A talented communications professional with years of experience in government as well as on campaigns and in the private sector, Balcomb has more than six years of experience in government and campaign communications at the state and federal levels.
He has served former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; then-Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp; a first-time congressional candidate (who was a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and experienced navigator) in a swing district; Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas; and on public affairs campaigns for private sector clients at Plus Communications. Most recently, he was communications director for Rep. Maria Salazar of Florida, a champion of the Port of Miami, working on increased development and trade in Latin America, along with other coastal maritime priorities. Shawn is originally from New Jersey and graduated from the University of Georgia where he received a B.A. in communication studies.
Supporting Our Seaports
AAPA has an active Government Relations team on staff that is immediately and directly involved in legislation support and lobbying related to business conducted at and by U.S. seaports and their tenants. They regularly post articles in timely Advocacy Updates, the AAPA Advisory newsletter (https://bit.ly/AdvisoryArchive), and on both www.aapa-ports.org and www.aapaseaports.com, and welcome feedback and questions from AAPA members.
- Cary Davis, vice president of government relations and general counsel: [email protected]
- Jen Armstrong, director of navigation policy and legislation: [email protected]
- Derek Miller, government relations manager: [email protected]
- Ian Gansler, manager of energy, resilience, and sustainability policy: [email protected]
- Shawn Balcomb, manager of public affairs: [email protected]
- Matt Wiggins, freight and infrastructure policy associate: [email protected]
AAPA’s U.S. Legislative Policy Council is also actively involved in reviewing legislation and governmental relations programs. This committee is chaired by Sean Strawbridge, chief executive officer at the Port of Corpus Christi.
For more information, reach out to Shawn Balcomb, AAPA’s manager of public affairs, at [email protected].
Check Out What’s New in the AAPA Career Center
The AAPA Career Center is a place for both job seekers and employers in the port industry to come together. This targeted site works much like LinkedIn or Indeed, but is geared exclusively toward the port industry. Registered job seekers can browse and apply for positions that employers have posted. On the other side, the employers can create a profile that allows them to post positions. Interested? Take a peek here: www.aapaports.org/empowering/CareerCenter.aspx.
The AAPA Career Center is also honoring Ports Day with an exclusive savings promotion through the end of April. Employers take 25% off your job listing with promo code PORTSDAY25OFF. Job Seekers who create an account and add a resume receive a FREE resume consultation. Visit the AAPA Career Center today to post your job or resume.
Celebrate 8th Annual “Western Hemisphere Ports Day” April 5
AAPA will commemorate Western Hemisphere Ports Day on April 5. This is the eighth year of this annual event, which recognizes the port industry’s role in efficient goods movement, job creation and propelling the economy in nations they serve across the Americas. Visit the AAPA website (www.aapa-ports.org) for a social media toolkit and join the celebration.
