New NC port authority head is ex-Maersk exec

   The North Carolina State Ports Authority board of directors announced Thursday the selection of Paul J. Cozza as its new executive director.
   Cozza had served as the chief financial officer for Maersk Line Ltd. in Norfolk, Va., and previously was the company’s senior vice president for finance and administration; before that, he worked as vice president for network planning.
   Cozza is the second high-level executive in recent months from the U.S. subsidiary of Danish container shipping giant Maersk Line to become an East Coast port director. In November, the Virginia Port Authority named John F. Reinhart, the president and chief executive officer of Maersk Line Ltd., as its executive director.
   In addition to his experience with Maersk, Cozza has more than a decade of experience with CSX Corp./Sea-Land Service. He worked as the vice president for terminal operations, general manager in Europe, and the trade lane director for Asia container services.
   A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of West Point, Cozza also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
   North Carolina’s ports are in Wilmington and Morehead City.
   Jeff Miles has served as interim executive director during the state’s eight-month search for a new port director.
   “This is a critical time in our industry, as we face the challenge of how to continue to grow our ports,” said Board Chairman Danny McComas. “Paul’s extensive experience in international shipping will be a valuable asset to the authority. [The organization] is fortunate to have a proven industry leader at its helm.”
   Thursday’s board meeting was also the first for three new members:

•    Tom Adams, president and CEO of Adams Building and Consulting Co.
•    Bill Keadey, a certified public accountant
•    Bill McMahon, the founder, president and CEO of CoaLogix