(WASHINGTON) — The board of directors of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has announced the election of Port of Cleveland President and CEO William Friedman to serve as chairman for the 2018-19 activity year beginning this October. The AAPA represents 140 of the leading maritime port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
“It’s a great honor to be chosen as chairman-elect of the AAPA, the unified voice for port authorities across the Western Hemisphere,” said Friedman. “Our ports are the linchpins in the global supply chains that generate jobs and economic prosperity for our regions and our nations. I look forward to working closely with port leaders and stakeholders to strengthen our vital industry.”
In his role with the Port of Cleveland, Friedman has transformed the agency’s business model since taking the helm in 2010. Under Friedman’s leadership, the port has seen a resurgence in maritime trade and cargo volumes. In 2014, he led the port’s efforts to launch the Cleveland-Europe Express service, revitalizing containerized shipping via the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system and solidifying Cleveland’s position as its leading international hub. Moreover, the port’s economic impact has grown to encompass an annual average of over 13 million tons of cargo through the Cleveland Harbor, resulting in $3.5 billion in yearly economic activity and supporting more than 20,000 local jobs.
