Galveston, TX (MARCH 30, 2021) – Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees has been appointed to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Port Authority Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Established under the Texas Transportation Code, the nine-member board provides a forum for the exchange of information between TxDOT, representatives of the port industry in Texas and the Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT’s governing body. Rees was appointed by the Texas Transportation Commission.
Albert Shannon, Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees chairman, said, “As the fourth most popular cruise port in North America – and only cruise port in Texas, the Port of Galveston plays a key role in the economic growth of both the cruise industry and the state of Texas.
“Rodger will make a great contribution to the committee with his experience and expertise in an industry that generates billions of dollars in economic benefits and thousands of jobs for the state.”
The PAAC’s advice and recommendations provide the commission and TxDOT with a broad perspective regarding ports and maritime transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating TxDOT policies concerning the Texas port system.
TxDOT Maritime Division Director Geir-Eilif Kalhagen welcomed Rees, adding, “Rodger’s perspective as the head of a major cruise port will be a great addition to this valuable committee.”
Among its responsibilities, the PAAC is required to develop a biennial port mission plan for Texas’ maritime ports, which is submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House and the commission.
The mission plan defines the committee’s goals and objectives and includes recommendations for the construction or development of transportation facilities connecting any maritime port to other transportation modes.
Rees said, “I’m honored to be appointed and look forward to working with my Texas port executive peers and state leaders to help shape the state’s port mission plan.”
About Galveston Wharves at Port of Galveston
Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Wharves has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. As the fourth most popular U.S. cruise port, it welcomed more than 1 million cruise passengers in 2019. Also, one of the busiest in Texas, the port moved 4.3 million tons of cargo in 2020 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion.