Responsible for overall office administration and finance, works with the Board of Directors and serves as staff liaison to the Legal Committee and U.S. Legislative Policy Council.
Business Development Kevin Traver, Vice President of Business Development Melodie George, Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing Chelsea Kertes, Director of Conferences and Events
Plans and coordinates the annual education and training programs, Legislative Summit, and Annual Convention; responsible for membership recruitment and sponsorship development; establishes external communications, marketing and event promotion, and brand awareness; produces annual Seaports of the Americas Membership Directory and digital Smart Guide, quarterly Seaports Magazine, weekly Advisory e-newsletter, and microsite; responsible for AAPA web development and information technology infrastructure; serve as staff liaisons to the Cruise and Public Relations Committees.
U.S. Government Relations John Bressler, Vice President of Government Relations Derek Miller, Government Relations Director Ian Gansler, Manager of Energy, Resilience, and Sustainability Policy Shawn Balcomb, Public Affairs Manager
Tracks legislative and regulatory issues; lobbies members of Congress on bills of interest to industry; works with Administration, Congress, Federal Agencies on port issues; produces Advocacy Updates newsletter; serve as staff liaisons to the Defense, Environment, Facilities Engineering, Harbors & Navigation, and Security Committees.
Leads the professional development programs Port Professional Manager (PPM®) Certificate, Port Professional Associate (PPA®), and Port Professional Executive (PPX®) Credential; administers the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Closing the Skills Gap ACCELerate grant program; responsible for the Foundation of the Seaports of Americas Emergency Relief Fund; manages research and data reporting including Port Statistics Program with Trade Currents, and salary and infrastructure investment surveys; manages membership retention and experience; maintains membership information and databases; oversees membership issues such as credentials filing and dues assessments;serve as staff liaisons to the Information Technology Committee, Maritime Economic Development Committee, and Professional Development Board.
Finance Charissa Meikle, Vice President of Finance and Administration Holden Haley, Administrative Operations Associate
Oversees accounting, financial reporting, benefits administration, day-to-day office management, and serves as staff liaison to the Finance Committee.
