The Alabama State Port Authority on Monday announced that its board of directors has named John C. Driscoll as director and chief executive officer for the port authority effective June 1.
He will succeed the retiring James K. “Jimmy” Lyons, who will assist Driscoll in the transition and serve as director emeritus until his full retirement at the end of the calendar year.
Driscoll most recently served as maritime director at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, CA. According to a release, he had operational and marketing responsibility for one of the nation’s top-10 container seaports. He was also credited with improving that port’s operating efficiency, financial performance and community relations.
“Over the last several months, the board and Jimmy Lyons worked through a nationwide search to identify a slate of qualified candidates,” Bestor Ward, chairman of the Alabama State Port Authority’s board of directors, explained in a statement. “It was John’s qualifications that made him the natural choice. Our board looks forward to John joining the Port Authority team in June.”
Prior to working in Oakland, Driscoll served as vice president of export sales for CMA CGM (America) LLC, a leading global container shipping group.
He reportedly gained deep international maritime experience and contacts working with Sea-Land Service, Maersk Line and CMA CGM. Additionally, Driscoll successfully developed business operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
The Alabama State Port Authority owns and operates the State of Alabama’s deep-water port facilities at the Port of Mobile, currently the 11th-largest U.S. seaport by total trade.
“This is a gratifying opportunity and a career highlight,” Driscoll stated. “I’ve seen the caliber of people who work here and the contributions the Port of Mobile makes to Alabama, the local community, and global trade. There is so much to be proud of at Mobile. The responsibility in leading this port is fantastic, and we will work together to continue the progress made under Executive Director Lyons.”
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Driscoll attended the University of Maryland (College Park) and graduated with a B.S. in Business Management with an emphasis on Transportation and Marketing.
Lyons commented, “I’ve observed over the years John’s incredible contributions to the industry. His abilities were affirmed through our extensive assessment of his body of work and my conversations with those who have worked with him. I am confident John will be an excellent fit for our seaport, our management team, and our employees, and I personally look forward to the transition.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
