Board of Directors approves $57.2 million for additional cranes

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) today elected Stephen S. Green of Savannah to serve as Chairman of the Board. Green was first appointed to the Board of Directors in July 2004 by Governor Sonny Perdue and previously served as vice chairman. He is the President and CEO of Stephen Green Properties, a Commercial Real Estate Investment and Development Corporation.

'I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Georgia,' said Green. 'Under the leadership of Senator Mack Mattingly we have achieved great things. I hope to follow in those large footsteps.'

Green, who has served on numerous professional, civic and charitable boards and organizations, currently serves on the boards of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Commission, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of First Chatham Bank and the Savannah Vocational Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees. Green is one of the Founding Organizers of The First Chatham Bank and previously served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Lindsay Thomas.

Green said the GPA has a number of excellent opportunities and challenges in the coming year. 'As the fastest growing port in the U.S., the GPA is not only creating jobs and economic opportunities faster than any other port, but also has increased infrastructure and planning challenges coming this year. GPA's number one priority is clearly the deepening of the Savannah River channel.'

Other Board members elected to one-year offices were Sunny Park of Atlanta, vice chairman and Rusty Griffin of Valdosta, secretary/treasurer.

In other action, the Board of Directors approved $57,200,000 of contracts to purchase additional container handling equipment. The new container handling equipment purchases includes four additional ship-to-shore container cranes and fourteen Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes.