The Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC) has appointed Stephen Martinko as its new executive director, the government agency that manages the country’s second-busiest port, said in a statement.
Martinko succeeds James McCarville, who retired on June 27, and Mary Ann Bucci, who served as acting executive director while the search for McCarville’s successor was underway.
Martinko brings extensive experience to his new role having served as deputy staff director at the US House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since January 2013.
He has also previously served as chief of staff for Representative Bill Shuster, the Congressman who sponsored the Water Resources and Reform Development Act, which passed into law in May 2014. According to the statement, Martinko was instrumental in the development of the bill – comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the country’s water sector infrastructure by reducing red tape and facilitating project delivery.
“Steve Martinko understands the value of the Inland Waterways system to Southwestern Pennsylvania and the importance of maintaining and improving the vital waterways infrastructure of this region,” Port of Pittsburgh chairperson Susan Baker Shipley said. “He will serve the PPC well as the need for appropriations and operation and maintenance funding will continue for years to come.”
The port handles over 35 million tons of cargo annually. Its 200 miles of waterways are served by numerous privately-owned and operated river terminal facilities and barge lines, as well as a US Army Corps of Engineers district and a US Coast Guard marine safety unit.
PPC was created in 1992 to promote the commercial use and development of the inland waterway-intermodal transportation system.