Port of Beaumont Newsletter

Pat Anderson and David Willard receive Oaths of Office as commissioners of the Port of Beaumont

Pat Anderson and Dr. David Willard were recently sworn in as Port of Beaumont Commissioners by Port Director Chris Fisher. Anderson will represent Ward 2, marking the start of his second term in office, and Willard will represent the community At-Large, marking the start of his first term in office. The Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners is comprised of six elected commissioners who each serve six-year terms.

“The Port of Beaumont is excited about the unprecedented level of growth we have experienced over the last several years and we know the addition of David Willard and the continued service of Pat Anderson will help keep our port growing," says Port Director Chris Fisher.

Members of the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners are responsible for making decisions pertaining to the current operations and future direction of the Port of Beaumont. Port commissioners set the policies that guide the development, growth and operation of the Port.

Overpass named in honor of C.A. "Pete" Shelton

After nearly three decades and over 400 board meetings, Commissioner C.A. “Pete” Shelton retired from the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners, attending his final board meeting on April 29, 2019.

“Commissioner Shelton has been part of the Port family for three decades and under his leadership we have seen the Port grow from a small public port to a globally competitive port that generates thousands of jobs and has diversified into liquid bulk products and wind energy,” says Port Director Chris Fisher.

To honor the lasting impact Commissioner Shelton has made on the Port and the community, fellow Commissioners and Port staff dedicated the Orange County Terminal Overpass as the C.A. “Pete” Shelton Overpass.

Port of Beaumont

charters Sea Scout Ship 1916

On April 27, 2019, the Port of Beaumont announced the launch of Sea Scout Ship 1916 at the Sail Daze event in Port Arthur, Texas. Sail Daze, an event hosted by Three Rivers Council-Boy Scouts, provided approximately 100 attendees with a weekend of sailing, camping and a chance to learn more about Scouting's second oldest program, Sea Scouts. Ship 1916 is actively recruiting high school aged students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the maritime industry.

Port of Beaumont recognized at Press Club of SETX Gala

The Port of Beaumont team was recognized at the Press Club of Southeast Texas' annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Gala on June 7, 2019 for their public relations and marketing efforts.

First place, electronic newsletter

First place, news release

Second Place, brochure

Second Place, feature release

Honorable Mention, internal newsletter

List of Recipients

Chris Fisher appointed to Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao appointed Port Director Chris Fisher to serve as a member of the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC) for a term of two years. As a representative member, Fisher was appointed to represent the point of view of the ports and terminals sector within the broader surface transportation system.

The Committee will provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation, through the Maritime Administrator, on matters relating to the maritime transportation system and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system.

842nd Transportation Battalion Welcomes LTC Gordon Vincent

On May 15, 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Santillo relinquished command of the 842 ^nd Transportation Battalion to Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Vincent.

After serving as the battalion commander for 24 months, LTC Santillo has moved on to the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. During LTC Santillo’s tenure, the 842 ^nd transported more than 65,000 pieces of equipment in support of America’s Global Mission Readiness (GMR). The equipment was moved through four strategic sea ports (Beaumont, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, TX and Gulfport, MS), projecting power and supporting the warfighter sustainment initiative worldwide at the speed of wa r.

LTC Vincent’s previous assignments include CENTCOM Branch, Operations Directorate, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB IL; 330 ^th Transportation Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC; and 172 ^nd Infantry Brigade, and Grafenwoehr, Germany.

M/V Grandis maiden voyage to Port of Beaumont

The M/V Grandis arrived at the Port of Beaumont, its first U.S. port of call, on May 3, 2019. The 659 foot long vessel, built in 2019, is operated by the South Korean management team of Pan Ocean Shipping and flies under the Marshall Island flag.

Captain Kyeongseob Kang and his 21 crew members successfully delivered 36,500 tons of eucalyptus wood pulp to the Port of Beaumont from the Port of Itaqui, a Brazilian port located in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. The next port of call for the vessel is Mobile, Alabama.

Chris Fisher and Ernest Bezdek speak at NDTA Conference on America's Ports

NDTA and Christopher Newport University’s (CNU) Center for American Studies co-hosted the Conference on America’s Ports April 20-May 2, 2019. The conference was hosted in association with the US Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) and the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret), NDTA President and CEO said “the re-establishment of the Ports Sub-Committee of the NDTA Surface Committee at the request of MG Stephen Farmen of SDDC last year, offered the opportunity to highlight the importance of our nation’s Strategic Ports. These ports and alternate ports will provide the 'platform' through which our forces will project power in time of conflict or contingency. We must highlight their importance and improve their readiness and capability for maximum efficient throughput. This conference was a team effort with all modes of transportation represented as well as MARAD, SDDC, USTRANSCOM and AAPA—all under the auspices of CNU’s Center for American Studies and NDTA.”

Port Director Chris Fisher spoke on the role of strategic ports, including current trends and issues impacting ports nationally. Director of Trade Development Ernest Bezdek discussed how the U.S. military uses ports as a key to military readiness around the globe. Mr. Bezdek also serves as chair of the NDTA Strategic Ports sub-committee.

"Caboose Chasers" visit restored ATSF caboose at the Port of Beaumont

Thank you to the Rogers family, self proclaimed "caboose chasers," for visiting the Port's restored ATSF caboose and for sending a photo of their adventure in Beaumont.

"Thank You so much for the hospitality! We really enjoyed your Santa Fe caboose. It is by far the best one that we have visited in our travels. (well over 100 of them) You should be very proud!"

The Port of Beaumont maintenance team completed restoration of the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe (ATSF) caboose in early 2018.

Workforce development efforts

The Southeast Texas Waterways Advisory Council recently stood up the Education, Research and Workforce Development sub-committee to bring awareness to career opportunities that exist in the maritime industry. This committee is working with industry stakeholders, educational leaders, and federal and local agencies to develop and distribute information to a variety of audiences including students, parents, teachers, the unemployed and the under-employed. Information that is being compiled includes training opportunities in Southeast Texas, career path overviews, and a list of resources available that relate to the maritime and/or support industries. For additional information on training opportunities in Southeast Texas, please e-mail info@pobtx.com.

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast

Port of Beaumont commissioners and staff prepared an appreciation breakfast for Charlton Pollard Elementary School faculty to help close out a successful 2018-2019 school year. The Port is a proud partner of the Beaumont Independent School District .

Beaumont Trash-off

The Port of Beaumont collected a record 810 pounds of trash from city streets as part of the City of Beaumont's annual trash-off event. The event brings individuals and businesses together in an effort to beautify the community.

United Way Day of Caring

Port employees participated in United Way’s Day of Caring. The event, aimed at assisting Southeast Texans who are still recovering from Tropical Storm Harvey, gave more than 200 volunteers an opportunity to work on 12 homes, performing various tasks.

Maritime Day Ceremony

The Seafarers' Center of Beaumont hosted a memorial ceremony in honor of National Maritime Day on May 22, 2019. Port of Beaumont commissioners and staff and members of the 842nd Transportation Battalion were in attendance.

BISD ROAR Program

Port Employees volunteer each week as part of BISD's Reach Out and Read Program. The program pairs volunteers with second grade students who are reading below grade level in an effort to increase literacy rates in the school district.