Port of Philadelphia gains new CEO

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s board of directors has named Jeff Theobald as its new chief executive officer, replacing James T. McDermott, Jr.    The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s (PRPA) board of directors has named Jeff Theobald as its new chief executive officer.
   Theobald is expected to assume the position in August, replacing James T. McDermott, Jr., who retired from the PRPA in April.
   Most recently, Theobald had been president and chief executive officer of Ports America Outer Harbor (PAOH) Terminal in Oakland, a joint venture of Ports America and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL). Ports America and TIL decided to close the terminal and had PAOH declare bankruptcy earlier this year.
   Gerard H. Sweeney, chairman of PRPA, said Theobald “is a seasoned maritime industry executive with a proven track record. He has extensive expertise in terminal operations, international supply chains, strategic planning, contract negotiations, and financial control and will prove invaluable in overseeing port growth plans. He has excellent strategic vision and is joining at the right time, as so many projects and initiatives at the Port of Philadelphia are coming to fruition.”
   Prior to his time at Ports America, Theobald was a senior executive for ocean carrier APL where he started in port terminal management and ultimately rose to the rank of senior vice president of global operations, networks and terminals.