New Reporting Structure For Ports America Chesapeake
MDOT Maryland Port Administration sent this bulletin at 03/24/2023 03:52 PM EDT
March 24, 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Dear Port of Baltimore Community,
I am sure some of you may have heard, but Ports America has made a decision to change their top management structure at Ports America Chesapeake (PAC) which manages the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore. Ports America CEO Matthew Leech has announced that Mark Schmidt is now the interim general manager of PAC replacing Bayard Hogans.
I understand business, corporate boards, structures and management. That said, I do have deep admiration and appreciation for Bayard. Bayard has spent more than 25 years at Ports America and has been a very active and visible presence in the Port of Baltimore community since becoming vice president of PAC several years ago. Under Bayard’s leadership, the Seagirt Marine Terminal is very well-positioned for future growth and expansion.
PAC has significantly invested in infrastructure improvements that will benefit Seagirt for years to come, including new Neo-Panamax cranes, 15 new rubber-tired gantry cranes, an additional truck gate, and other improvements that will greatly improve terminal efficiencies.
We have also had record container volume growth over the last several years despite extremely challenging international supply chain impacts from the pandemic. PAC has also had an industry-leading safety record that has seen sharp reductions in lost time due to injuries on the job. Bayard has overseen all of these gains and rightfully deserves full credit.
Bayard’s community involvement includes his work with the Steamship Trade Association Charitable Legacy Fund as well as supporting the Baltimore Museum of Industry and Port Discovery. On March 21, he received an International Business Leadership Award from Governor Wes Moore. We thoroughly appreciate everything Bayard has meant to the Port of Baltimore and our port community and thank him for his outstanding efforts.
Bayard will have a future beyond today, mark my words.
With that, I have full confidence in the abilities of Mark Schmidt. Mark has been with Ports America for more than 30 years and has held many different positions with their company. Many of you already know Mark well and, like me, equally respect his deep knowledge and insight into our business. He has developed strong relationships and has been very active within our Port of Baltimore community for many years. I have found him to be someone who is very driven and dedicated to the Port of Baltimore. I know he will do an outstanding job in this new role and I know you join me in wishing him well and will do everything to help with his transition.
Below is a statement posted today by Ports America.
Sincerely,
William P. Doyle
STATEMENT FROM PORTS AMERICA:
"Effective immediately, Mark Schmidt will be serving as the Interim General Manager of our Ports America Baltimore operations.
Mark has been a valued member of Ports America since 1991 and has held many positions within our organization over the years. His passion and dedication to the business has led him to develop strong relationships in Baltimore with local leadership and the community at-large.
Mark’s 31 years of operational intelligence and business acumen will be instrumental as he leads the day-to-day operations at Ports America Chesapeake. Working closely with Matt Leech, President & CEO, Mark will continue to uphold our long-standing partnership in support of the Maryland Port Authority and the State of Maryland."
