Connecticut Port Authority names executive director
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Evan Matthews
The former port director of the Quonset Development Corporation in Rhode Island has been named as the executive director of the Connecticut Port Authority.
After a nationwide search, Evan Matthews has been selected, port authority Chairman Scott Bates announced Thursday.
He will start Sept. 19 and make $150,000 annually.
Matthews will manage the day-to-day activities of the port authority, including business development, marketing, finance and outreach activities.
His responsibilities will include developing a strategic plan to grow the volume of cargo activity in Connecticut's ports and coordinating and strengthening the state's maritime policies.
"There are many great companies operating along Connecticut's coastline and ports, some for generations. I jumped at the opportunity to help grow cargo volumes through strategic investments and coordinated marketing by working with shippers throughout the state," Matthews said in a prepared statement.
The port authority, a quasi-public agency established by law in 2014, is responsible for developing and marketing the state's ports and promoting its maritime economy.
Matthews has worked for the Quonset Development Corporation since 2003.
Under his tenure, the port of Davisville in Rhode Island saw an increase in shipping traffic, growth in revenue and important infrastructure upgrades, according to a news release announcing his new appointment.
His previous roles include grant and trade policy analyst at the port of Seattle in Washington. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island, where he teaches coursework on logistics and maritime transportation.
At its June 23 meeting, the port authority's board approved a roughly $1 million operating budget including $306,450 for salary and benefits for an executive director and an executive assistant, who will do much of the administrative work, help run the port authority and manage the board.
Since the two positions are not expected to be filled until later in the fiscal year, the personnel costs are lower than next year's, which is expected to be $432,000.
The budget also includes $200,000 for marketing.
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