The Port of Portland has made organizational changes to its management structure that Executive Bill Wyatt says should improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs.
“My purpose in this reorganization,” Wyatt said, “is to eliminate duplicate organizational structures, take advantage of the obvious synergies from locating like functional responsibilities within single work groups, place a very concentrated emphasis on our customers and business development and, over time, reduce the cost of operating the port while improving our business.”
As part of the changes, which became effective Feb. 9, Sam Ruda, the port’s former director of marine and industrial development now holds the newly created position of chief commercial officer. In his new position, Ruda is responsible for commercial and business development activities at the port’s marine and aviation facilities and its commercial real estate holdings.
Ruda was the director of marine and industrial development for more than nine years and, according to the port, helped improve the general fund business lines both financially and operationally.
Before joining the port, Ruda worked for Beaverton, Oregon-based sportswear company Nike, where he served as director of global logistics. Before that, he had a long career in the global shipping industry in sales and marketing.
Also, port Chief Financial Officer Vince Granato has been named to the new role of chief operating officer. Granato is a 24-year port veteran with experience in nearly all areas of the port, including airfield and terminal operations, properties and real estate and finance.
In his new position, he’s responsible for operations activities at the port’s marine, aviation facilities and business parks.
The port says it has launched a national search for a new chief financial officer, but that Granato will continue serving in that role as well until a replacement’s found.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
