Port of Virginia Blog

Wood Earns Harrison Award, the VPA’s Highest Honor

 

Norfolk – Heather Wood (right), the director of environmental affairs for the Virginia Port Authority, is the recipient of the 2011 W. Wright Harrison Award, the agency's highest honor.

The service award is presented annually by the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners to an outstanding employee of the agency. The award is named after the late W. Wright Harrison, who was a vice chairman of the VPA board; nominees are chosen by their peers.

As director of environmental affairs, Wood oversees all of the agency's environmental programs, including its long-term sustainability policy. Moreover, she is responsible for securing federal grant money that helps to pay for many of the VPA's environmental initiatives.

Wood began her career with the VPA in 2000. Her award was presented by Michael J. Quillen, chairman of the VPA Board of Commissioners, at the regularly scheduled board meeting held Sept. 27.

"Through Heather's efforts, The Port of Virginia has the most progressive and proactive environmental program on the US East Coast, and this something to truly be proud of," Quillen said.

Bridges Picked to Serve on National Maritime Panel

Washington, DC – Virginia Port Authority Executive Director Jerry A. Bridges has been named to the new Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC), established to advise the U.S. Department of Transportation on matters relating to marine transportation.

The department of transportation will task the MTSNAC with developing recommendations on establishing new marine highway services and port infrastructure development, among other issues. The appointment was made by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood; Bridges is one of 29 panel members.

"Shifting some of our freight from the highways to open inland waterways is a fuel-efficient, cost-effective way to move goods and reduce roadway congestion," LaHood said. "The recommendations developed by the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council will help us increase transportation efficiency, improve the environment and grow the economy."

In creating the MTSNAC, the department of transportation sought members with exemplary experience in serving on other government and industry maritime advisory panels. Members were nominated through a full and open process published in the Federal Register.

"The experience brought to bear by this diverse panel is impressive," said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. "These maritime experts have a lot to contribute. I look forward to their advice as we tackle the industry's most pressing challenges."
 

Bridges Approved as IAPH Executive Committee Member

Norfolk – Virginia Port Authority Executive Director Jerry A. Bridges has been approved as a new member of International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) executive committee representing Americas Region.

The IAPH is a global alliance of ports, representing 230 ports in 90 countries. The member ports together handle well over 60 percent of the world's sea-borne trade and nearly 80 percent of the world container traffic. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Its principle objective is to develop and foster good relations and cooperation among all ports and harbors in the world by proving a forum to exchange opinions and share experiences on the latest trends of port management and operations. The IAPH emphasizes and promotes the fact that ports form a vital link in the waterborne transportation and play such a vital role in today's global economy.

The organization meets in a full session once every two years at its biennial conference in different port cities around the world. The plenary sessions of IAPH conference is the supreme policy-making body of the association. It is more commonly known as IAPH World Ports Conference and often referred to as the World Port Summit where the key players of the world port industry - port CEOs, directors and managers - gather from all over the world once in every two years to discuss issues of their immediate interest and concern for sharing better practice.

The executive committee is composed of 18 members: six representing Africa and Europe; four representing the Americas; and eight representing Asia.

VIT Hires O’Brien as its Northeast Sales Manager

Norfolk – Virginia International Terminals Inc. (VIT) has hired Joseph O'Brien has its northeast area manager and in that capacity he will be responsible for working with beneficial cargo owners in the region and commercial representatives for the shiplines.

"Joe brings a lot of diverse experience to our marketing team and it is all industry-based knowledge that will position him to have an immediate impact," said Thomas Capozzi, VIT's vice president of global sales and customer service. "He has a proven track record and we're certain he'll be an asset."

O'Brien spent the last 11 years with OOCL and most recently was the managing director of sales and marketing for CargoSmart Limited, an e-commerce company owned by OOCL. Prior to that he was a trade director for MOL, where he oversaw the company's refrigerated container cargo program in North America. He moved in the trade director's position after spending a year as a district sales manager for MOL. He also spent four years in sales with NYK Line (North America) Inc.

O'Brien started his career in 1987 with Hapag Lloyd (America) Inc. in its executive management trainee program. His first day with VIT will be Sept. 1 and will be based in Hoboken, NJ.

VIT is the Virginia Port Authority's private terminal operating company.

International Trade Association Elects Bridges Chairman of its Board

 

Alexandria, VA – At its annual Spring Conference on March 21, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) elected Jerry A. Bridges, executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA), to serve as the international trade association's 2011-12 chairman of the board.

"I've been in this business a long time and AAPA has always been a mainstay, an unvarnished voice for the industry and I am flattered to have been elected as chairman of its board," Mr. Bridges said. "I look forward to next year, to working with the board and finding ways to continue the good work AAPA has done for this industry."

Bridges is slated to be installed as chairman for a one-year term on the final day of AAPA's annual convention set for Sept. 11-15 in Seattle.

“Mr. Bridges has an impressive and extensive résumé in the maritime industry, including serving as the chief executive at two major American port authorities.  His experience, expertise and the respect he has earned as a port executive will benefit AAPA and its members,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and chief executive officer.   

Bridges came to the VPA in 2006 from the Port of Oakland, where he had served as director of maritime from 2001 to 2004 and as executive director from 2004 to 2006. Earlier, he was area vice president, Northern California, for Marine Terminals Corp., and before that worked in various capacities for Sea Land Services and Roadway Express.

American Soybean Association Director has Positive Comments About Port

Norfolk – The Port of Virginia recently received a vote of confidence in the Southeast Farm Press from a national director of the American Soybean Association for the port's ability to handle export containers loaded with soy flour.

"I've got a feeling containers are going to be the coming thing for exports, and Virginia ports are ready for the change," said Bruce Hall, a national director of the American Soybean Association. "I think Virginia has a bright future there, and we'll need that as far as exports are concerned. The company we went to for exporting the flour explained how using containers makes sales and shipping much more flexible."

Use this link to see the entire story in Southeast Farm Press: Containers more popular in foodstuff exports.

Last December, Hall was among a group of officials from World Initiative on Soy and Human Health (WISHH) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that toured Norfolk International Terminals. The group was in Hampton Roads to watch as the  with the first load of soy flour was loaded for its journey to Afghanistan.

Southeast Farm Press is a publication that provides growers and agribusiness with coverage of the region's major crops plus the legislative, environmental and regulatory issues that affect their businesses.

Eight VPA Employees Recognized for Their Service

 

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority on Tuesday recognized eight employees for their longevity of employment with the agency at its Service Awards Ceremony. The group collectively has 60 years of experience at the VPA. Those recognized for 10 years of service include: Rebecca R. Killen; Mary Reilly; VPA Police Sgt. Clarence J. Tillman and officer Mark E. Griffiths. Angela Mitchell, Cpl. Frederick G. Wilson and officers Paul D. Newman and Richard R. Reid each were recognized for five years of service.

Pictured above, in the back row, left to right are Tillman, Reid, Newman, Griffiths and Wilson. In the front row, left to right are Killen, Mitchell and Reid.

VPA Board Approves 6-Year Contract Extension for Bridges

Norfolk – Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners has approved a contract extension for the agency's top executive that guarantees continuity of leadership for the VPA up through 2017.  

At its regularly scheduled meeting held Jan. 25, the board voted to extent the employment contract of Jerry A. Bridges for six years. The vote in favor of a contract extension was unanimous; the contract is effective Feb. 5.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to guide this organization," Bridges said. "Given the potential here, this is where I want to be. I'm committed -- there is so much opportunity, so many possibilities within this harbor. The future of this port is bright I firmly believe it and that is why I'm committed.

"We got the right guy," said John G. Milliken, the board's chairman. "We're absolutely delighted to have Jerry for six more years. In his four years at the Virginia Port Authority, (Bridges) has led this authority to a new level of excellence."

Bridges has had a busy tenure at the VPA. He came to the agency in February 2007 from the Port of Oakland and in that time he has: guided VPA through it a reorganization of its staff; helped to evaluate three proposals that sought to privatize operations at VPA terminals; seen the opening of the Heartland Corridor double-stack rail corridor; overseen the lease of APM Terminals, the VPA's primary competitor in the Hampton Roads Harbor; guided the port through the international recession; and shepherded through the start of construction on the eastward expansion of Craney Island.

"Last year was busy and that is behind us. Now it is time to focus on leveraging our assets and building our book of business," Bridges said.

Webb Tours Port; Pushes for $50 Million in Federal Money for Craney Island

 

Norfolk – US Sen. Jim Webb toured Norfolk International Terminals Tuesday and told reporters that he and US Sen. Mark Warner have requested $50 million in federal funding for the eastward expansion of Craney Island.

The eastward expansion project is the first step in construction of a new state-owned cargo terminal. The first phase involves building a 600-acre plot of land off the east side of Craney Island. When complete, the land will give the Virginia Port Authority the ability to expand cargo capacity as needed. Many see that capacity being needed following the completion of the widening of the Panama Canal, a major trade lane to Virginia.

"When you look at the dynamic growth in (Eastern Asia) and the expansion of the Panama Canal, you're going to see a lot more of that economy coming to the East Coast of the United States, and this is the place for import and export," Webb told reporters following a tour of NIT.

Additionally, the expansion of Craney Island prolongs its life as a dredge-material deposit area. The new terminal will sit upon material dredged from the Hampton Roads Harbor and reused in the project.

Work on the eastward expansion is underway. Last month crews began depositing dredge material on the bottom of the site in preparation for construction of a foundation for a series of dikes and levees. See VPA blog post: Work on Dike Foundations for Craney Island Underway.

Above: Webb and Jeff Keever (foreground), the VPA's senior deputy executive director, discuss the impact of a widened Panama Canal on the Port of Virginia.

D.M. Thornton Jr., Former VPA Commissioner, Dies at Age 89

Virginia Beach -- Daniel M Thornton Jr., a former Norfolk City councilman (1966-70) and member of the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners (1970-1982) died Sunday, May 9; he was 89.

Mr. Thornton was the retired chairman of Southgate Corp., a trucking and warehousing business founded in Norfolk in 1892 and sold in 2003.

Mr. Thornton was elected to serve on the Norfolk City Council in 1965 and upon entering office in 1966 he spoke about the city's maritime potential: "I have said this before, but I repeat my conviction that maritime growth is the most important challenge facing Norfolk. The port offers the greatest potential for economic advancement and stability of any single facet of our area's existence."

In 1970, his family's long-time business interest in the maritime industry won him an appointment to the newly-constituted Virginia Port Authority. The VPA was established by then Gov. Linwood Holton in order to operate and market Virginia's major ports as a single port service.

In referring to the VPA board, Gov. Holton said, "It is my judgment that management and financial know-how are the keys to whether the ports can be brought together through negotiations."

Through significant and sustained investments from the state, the VPA moved to modernize the region's independently operated piers and to improve the area's channels in order for the newly unified ports to more effectively compete with other seaports along the east coast.

Thornton served as a VPA commissioner until 1982 overseeing the unification of the marine cargo terminals.

In 1952, Mr. Thornton joined his father at Southgate Corp. as an assistant manager for the company's trucking division. Southgate operated principally in the warehousing, trucking and distribution business. The company concentrated mainly in the distribution of import and export shipments arriving from and departing through the area's marine and rail terminals.

In 1974, Mr. Thornton became president of the company and a few years later he was successful in purchasing 12 acres in the Norfolk Industrial Park for new corporate offices and a distribution facility. He became chairman in 1990 and retired from the business in 1992.

Mr. Thornton earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering in 1943 from Virginia Military Institute.

Upon graduation he joined the Marine Corps and was commissioned a lieutenant. He fought with the 6th Marine Division which took part in the assault on and capture of Okinawa and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (with V) while serving as a platoon leader in the 6^th Engineer Battalion. In addition, he witnessed the surrender of the Japanese forces in this area of China on Oct. 25, 1945.

He was recalled to active duty with the 2nd Marine Division from 1950 – 52 as a captain.

Keever Leads Blessing of the Fleet Ceremonies

Cape Charles – Jeff Keever, senior deputy executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, was the master of ceremonies at the Blessing of the Fleet held April 9 at the Cape Charles harbor. Also in attendance: U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, Cape Charles Mayor Dora Sullivan and Delegate Lynnwood Lewis. The Town of Cape Charles was awarded $500,000 for fiscal 2010 through the VPA's Aid to Local Ports program. Pictured above are Keever (left) and Nye (right foreground).

Sgt. Joseph Green Recipent of Harrison Award

At the July 28 Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman John Milliken presented Sgt. Joseph Green with the W. Wright Harrison Award medal.

 

Virginia Port Authority police officer Sgt. Joseph Green has been named the recipient of the 2009 W. Wright Harrison Award.

 

The service award is presented annually by the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners to an outstanding employee of the agency. The award is named after the late W. Wright Harrison, who was a vice chairman of the VPA board; nominees are chosen by their peers.

As the sergeant of Special Operations, Green is active member of the port community and has served with the VPA Police Department since July 2004. He began his career as a patrol officer and was promoted to his current rank in July 2007. Since December 2008, Green has been the sole active member of the department’s Special Operations Division and successfully serves as the acting commander in the absence of both a lieutenant and captain.

Prior to joining the force, Sgt. Green was a captain with the Portsmouth Fire Department.

“Sgt. Green is a premier example of a dedicated and conscientious steward of the Port of Hampton Roads and has provided outstanding service to both the organization and the community,” said John G. Milliken, chairman of the VPA board, during the presentation ceremony.