Letter From the CEO

Dear AAPA Members,

Thank you all for the warm welcome upon my joining the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Having worked with so many of you in my recent service as the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, it’s an honor to now serve as AAPA’s President and Chief Executive Officer at such a consequential moment for the port and maritime industry. With the amount of national-level attention from the most senior policymakers in government, our industry has a generational opportunity to bolster competitiveness, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the supply chain.

Ports sustain 21.8 million American jobs and contribute $2.89 trillion to U.S. GDP. Your work contributes not only to economic prosperity, but also national security. AAPA will work tirelessly to ensure that policymakers never forget that the port industry is the crucial nexus for the supply chain on which American survivability depends.

Since starting in my new role in May, we’ve seen a flurry of activity, growth, and progress to securing AAPA’s national reputation as the unified voice of the seaport industry across the Western Hemisphere. Please know that I approach this role with a deep respect for what AAPA represents: a community of port and maritime professionals dedicated not only to the operational excellence of their individual facilities, but to the whole industry’s advancement.

While leadership transitions come with challenges, I was delighted to know that many of you experienced firsthand that every AAPA department was active on your behalf to deliver for members prior to my arrival. Now, with the complete team in place, AAPA is full steam ahead and will achieve new levels of advocacy influence and operational excellence.

Through their advocacy work on navigation issues and cargo handling equipment, our Government Relations team helped save more than $750 million for America’s public port authorities. The Government Relations team also aided in securing a multiyear pause on proposed U.S. Trade Representative Section 301 fees on foreign vessels calling on ports, withdrawal of the North Atlantic Right Whale vessel speed restriction rule, and secured port eligibility for federal Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System resources. AAPA will build upon its position as the preeminent voice of the port industry by expanding its influence and advocacy on maritime infrastructure and supply chain issues across the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

The Finance and Operations team remains focused on strengthening AAPA’s internal infrastructure through improved financial processes, enhanced reporting, and continued oversight of audit and compliance activities. Members will benefit from an AAPA with modernized technology systems and streamlined operations to improve staff efficiency and productivity. We are committed to maintaining a strong financial foundation and making strategic investments to enhance your member experience and support AAPA’s long-term growth.

Member Services remains focused on delivering exceptional value to our members. We are excited to introduce a new “Beacon of Excellence” Lighthouse Award to recognize outstanding port projects, as well as a new Foundation for Seaports of the Americas scholarship to support the next generation of port leaders. Our professional development programs continue to expand, with more than 70 participants across the PPA, PPM, and PPX programs. Ports can also take advantage of our Port Statistics program to update throughput data and access reports and our 10 technical committees that engage more than 1,750 members. AAPA is dedicated to deepening member engagement and experiences to convert your membership into a competitive advantage for your port.

The Business Development, Events, and Marketing team is fresh off a successful POWERS + Smart Ports Summit & Expo and now focused on your upcoming Annual Convention to take place from September 28-30 in New Orleans. I’ve already placed an ambitious goal post for our team to seek historic levels of participation, and we cannot wait to see you there. Simultaneously, this team is hard at work on reviewing new software to best serve you and our partners with improved information, communications, and alerts.

I look forward to hearing directly from you, visiting your ports, and ensuring that the priorities of our Association reflect the realities our members face every day. You have my commitment that I will remain focused on ensuring that AAPA is the strongest possible resource for every member of this Association. I look forward to accomplishing great things together.

Sincerely,