Thomas J. Simmers, President & CEO of Ceres Terminals Incorporated, announced the appointments of Mr. Jeff Hakala as Vice President of Ceres Gulf Texas and Mr. James Parker as Vice President of Ceres Gulf New Orleans.  Both Mr. Hakala and Mr. Parker will assume their new responsibilities August 1.

Jeff Hakala has been Vice President of Ceres Gulf based in New Orleans since 2004. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.  He began his career in marine transportation in 1975 with Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores in Texas. During his career, he has held senior management positions with I.T.O. Corporation, Fairway Terminal Corporation and P&O Ports. Mr. Hakala also has a strong background in software development and information technology. In his new position, Mr. Hakala will oversee all of Ceres' container and cargo operations in Houston and other Texas port locations.  Mr. Hakala will be based in the Ceres Gulf, Inc. Houston office location. In his new position as Vice President, Ceres Gulf New Orleans, James Parker will be responsible for all day-to-day operations in the Port of New Orleans. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Parker was Terminal Manager of Ceres' North Charleston, Evergreen Container Terminal. He was responsible for all administrative and management functions at the North Charleston location.

Mr. Parker is a veteran of the maritime industry having held various Port and Terminal Supervisory and Management positions handling vessel and cargo operations in Florida,  Georgia and South Carolina. He began his career in 1983 with Seaco in Savannah, Georgia.  He was responsible for all types of cargo operations and has a military license in the operation and training of all military equipment.  His career progressed as Port Operations Manager in Port Everglades and General Manager Military Operations in the Port of Charleston. He worked for Oceanic Steamship Company in 2002 as VP of Operations in the Port of Miami.  Mr. Parker joined Ceres in 2003 in the Port of Savannah and was responsible for day-to-day vessel operations. In 2005, he was appointed to Terminal Manager in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina where he remained for five years until this new appointment in New Orleans.

“Jeff Hakala and Jim Parker are two of our most accomplished Ceres professionals who bring creative energy and valuable experience to our New Orleans and Houston operations,” said Thomas Simmers, President and CEO.  “I am pleased to have these seasoned veterans continue the high level of experience and leadership that they have demonstrated throughout the years and ensure Ceres' Gulf customers that their business is in Jeff and Jim's very capable hands.”