Former WWL CEO picked to lead AAPA

   The American Association of Port Authorities announced Thursday it unanimously has chosen Christopher J. Connor as its next president and chief executive officer.
   Connor, the former global CEO of Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics (WWL), will begin transitioning into his new role on Sept. 23 and eventually will succeed Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO since 1995.
   Nagle, who last fall announced his intention to retire, will step down Oct. 16, the final day of AAPA’s annual convention and expo in Norfolk, Va.
   “The association’s executive committee is pleased to have found an outstanding individual to assume leadership of this hemisphere-wide association representing seaports,” said William Friedman, AAPA chairman of the board and CEO of the Port of Cleveland. “Chris Connor has a track record of transformational leadership in the ocean shipping industry. This, combined with his deep industry knowledge and institutional tenure, makes him uniquely qualified to lead AAPA successfully into the future.”
   Connor said, “I’ve spent over 35 years working in the ocean shipping industry and through that lens I’ve developed a deep appreciation and respect for the vitally integral role that ports play in global commerce.”
   He added, “What excites me most about AAPA is the enormous economic impact of the port industry in the Western Hemisphere and the opportunity to harness that economic vitality in the best interest of all the association’s members.”
   Connor joined WWL in 1994 and held several key commercial and operational positions prior to being named CEO in 2014. He previously worked for Crowley Maritime Corp. for seven years and Untied States Lines for six years.