Great Lakes Ports Association Elects New Leadership

Members of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) elected new leadership at their annual summer meeting held this year in Oswego, New York.

The new president is William Friedman, President & CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. Dean Haen, director of the Brown County Port & Solid Waste Department in Green Bay, will serve as vice president. The secretary-treasurer position will be held by Paul LaMarre, port director at the Port of Monroe (Michigan). The term of office is two years.

Friedman became president and CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority in June 2010. He has more than 25 years of experience in port management, real estate development, international supply chain and multimodal distribution. He served as vice president of ports and logistics for Duke Realty Corp. from 2004 to 2009. Friedman was CEO of the Ports of Indiana from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that position, he served 10 years with the Port of Seattle in a variety of management roles. Friedman holds two degrees from Indiana University – a bachelor’s degree in history, and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in urban and regional planning.

Outgoing president Adolph Ojard said, “Will brings a wealth of experience to this position which will prove critical as the industry moves forward with legislative issues that need astute leadership and perceptive guidance. Additionally, his election provides continuity for AGLPA because of his active membership and close association with other port directors. I have every faith that Will, Dean and Paul will continue to promote maritime commerce throughout the region and serve as ambassadors for economic development via the port system.”

AGLPA Executive Director Steve Fisher added:  “While the association has greatly benefitted from Adolph’s leadership and depth of knowledge about the maritime industry, we look forward to working with Will as we continue to address industry issues such as harbor dredging, low water levels, ballast water regulation, infrastructure investment, and shrinking the industry’s environmental footprint."

Adolph Ojard announced his retirement in May. He has served as president of the AGLPA since 2004. Ojard was appointed executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority in April 2003.  A Great Lakes maritime and transportation veteran, Ojard spent more than 30 years with transportation affiliates of the U.S. Steel Corporation where he held executive positions in rail, inland barging, and Great lakes shipping. He was president of the Warrior Gulf Navigation Co. in Alabama until 1997 when he became general manager of both the DM&IR Railway and USS Great Lakes Fleet, regional railroad and vessel companies headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota. He currently serves as chair of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) U.S. delegation, as a member of the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Council, and as chair of the Great Ships Initiative advisory committee. Ojard also serves on the board of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, in addition to several community boards.