The Maryland Port Association is sailing in a familiar direction.
Following the announcement earlier this month that Brooks Royster will step down as executive director of the MPA, Gov. Martin O?Malley appointed James J. White Tuesday to fill the vacated post.
White was head of the port of Baltimore from 1999 through 2005, and has held the position of senior vice president and chief operating officer of New Jersey-based Ceres Terminals Inc. for the last two years.
During White?s first regime, he helped establish a 20-year agreement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics to make the Port of Baltimore a Northern Atlantic key to roll-on, roll-off shipping units and cargo.
“Given the caliber of the appointee of Jim White, it?s hard to argue that we could do better,” Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari said. “He?s a symbol of stability and continuity to our customers, and he is a dedicated public servant. … It?s hard to conceive of a better combination of experience, credibility and dedication for the best interest to the State of Maryland.”
Other accomplishments during White?s first executive directorship include, reaching long-term shipping deals with Evergreen, Amports and Mercedes, developing a new dedicated cruise terminal and the development of a anti-terrorism security plan for the Port of Baltimore.
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, White oversaw the creation of the port?s new and more-inclusive security plan.
White is a former president of the North Atlantic Ports Association Inc.
“Jim has a proven track record and will hit the ground running as we work together to build a more competitive and stronger port,” O?Malley said in a statement.
Royster had made $225,000 per year, the port told The Examiner. A salary figure for White is pending Porcari?s briefing of the leadership of the state legislature and final approval from the Maryland Port Commission.
