Gov. Martin O?Malley recently announced the appointmentsof five new members to the Maryland Port Commission.
William Dockser, Donald Fry, Alvin Nichols, Ted Venetoulis and Charles White Jr. will join current member Brenda Dandy to serve three-year terms. Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari chairs the panel.
The port commission meets monthly at the World Trade Center to devise policy, personnel and procurement procedures for the Port of Baltimore.
“Their backgrounds will be beneficial on many challenging issues facing this port, including new business opportunities, dredging, port land acquisition and environmental compliance,” O?Malley said.
Since 1974, Dockser has been chairman of the board of CRI Inc., one of the nation?s largest private owners of commercial properties.
Fry is president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, a group of business and civic leaders that promotes the region?s business climate.
Nichols has served as deputy chief administrative officer for business development in Prince George?s County.
Venetoulis is chairman and CEO of Corridor Media Inc., a local business and political news magazine.
White practices law in Washington, D.C., and is a visiting professor of logistics and intermodal transportation at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Port commissioners are responsible for conducting studies and surveys that impact the Port of Baltimore, such as establishing foreign trade zones and harbor dredging. In 2006, general cargo exceeded 9 million tons in the Port of Baltimore for the first time. Total foreign cargo was valued at an all-time high of $36.7 billion.
A longtime export analyst and consultant, Joseph R. Hughes? maritime-related articles have appeared in numerous publications. He is a native Baltimorean. E-mail your questions to him at [email protected].
