Friday, November 20, 2015

Coos Bay Port Picks New CEO

By Mark Edward Nero

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Port Commission has selected John Burns as its new chief executive officer. He will replace current CEO David Koch, whose time as a port employee ends Nov. 30.

On Nov. 9 the Port Commission approved hiring Burns for the position with a starting base salary of $175,000, along with reimbursement up to $67,600 in relocation costs.

“During a time where the port is continuing to strive forward to be competitive in the port and maritime business, I feel confident in Burns to provide the executive leadership to take us to the next level,” Port Commission President David Kronsteiner said in a prepared statement.

Burns brings a long record of experience in maritime and related industries to the port. He currently serves as president of Burns Resources Group, a consulting firm specializing in improving operational and business performance of organizations within all aspects of the marine transportation system.

Burns begins at Coos Bay on Dec. 1. Current CEO Koch’s contract was amended in July to include a Nov. 30 termination date, but also includes a subsequent four-month period as a consultant. Koch began working at the port as chief operating officer in 2010, then became the interim CEO after Jeff Bishop’s December 2011 retirement. He became the full-time CEO in June 2012. Burns, throughout his entire career, has worked with ports in various ways.

In 2010, he was successful at the redelivery of about 15,000 vessels used in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion. Prior to that, he was the vice president and general manager for Hornbeck Offshore Services, which at the time was a leading provider of technologically advanced vessels serving the offshore oil and gas industry, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and in select international markets.

In addition, he served for ten years as president of global maritime trade and logistics company Maritrans Inc. “I am thrilled to be a part of Coos Bay and what promises to be a bright future,” Burns said. “I look forward to working with everyone associated with the port and the Coos Bay area.”