Maine Port Authority Announces New Board Member
For Immediate Release: December 21, 2018
Contact: Jon Nass, Maine Port Authority CEO (207) 557-0923
PORTLAND – The Maine Port Authority (MPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honorable James S. Gillway to the MPA Board of Directors on December 18, 2018.
“We are honored to have such a respected and distinguished public servant join the MPA board,” said Jon Nass, CEO of the MPA. “Mr. Gillway’s vast experience in state and local government, particularly in economic development and transportation, will be invaluable to our Board as we look to expand maritime development along the coast of Maine.”
Mr. Gillway has served as the Town Manager for the Town of Searsport since 2005. Prior to then, he served as the Searsport Chief of Police for almost two decades. He is a former Deputy Sheriff and served in Iraq training military police officers. Mr. Gillway is also a former member of the Maine House of Representatives where he sat on the Transportation Committee. He served eight years as the representative for District 98, which includes the towns of Frankfort, Searsport, Swanville and Winterport. He was unable to run for reelection this year due to term limits.
“Over the last year, the MPA Board has reviewed at length its mission as a statewide maritime development entity and committed to enhancing its focus and presence in the Searsport and Bucksport regions and beyond,” said David Bernhardt, MPA Board Chair and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “James Gillway will bring a strong voice to the table for the communities and residents of midcoast and Downeast Maine as initiatives are moved forward to achieve these goals.”
At its December 17, 2018 meeting, the MPA Board voted to move forward the OneMaine initiative, which includes opening a MPA office in midcoast Maine to better serve communities and customers outside of Southern Maine. Board support was also given to MPA officials to hold stakeholder and board meetings at various locations statewide to garner more public input on the maritime development and infrastructure funding needs of communities, residents and businesses along the coast.
Mr. Gilway is replacing outgoing MPA Board member, Richard Ingalls of Portland, who served on the MPA board for more than 20 years. During the tenure of his membership, Mr. Ingalls was instrumental in shaping and leading the MPA board, particularly with the development of the International Marine Terminal (IMT) in Portland and on dredging issues statewide. Mr. Ingalls will continue to serve as an Advisor to the Board.
The MPA is non-partisan governmental agency established for the purpose of acquiring, financing, constructing and operating port terminal and railroad facilities in the State of Maine. The MPA owns and operates the IMT in Portland and owns the wharf at Mack Point in Searsport. The mission of the MPA states that it “plans, develops, maintains and promotes port and intermodal facilities across the State to stimulate commerce and enhance the global competitiveness for the future wealth and prosperity of Maine.”
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