M. David McNeel has been selected as the Port of Richmond's next executive director. He succeeds Martin J. Moynihan, who will retire after eighteen years at the City's port on July 31, 2008.

McNeel most recently served as Deputy Director of Operations for the Mississippi State Port Authority in Gulfport, Mississippi. Gulfport is one of the busiest container ports on the Gulf of Mexico with annual throughput in excess of 2 million tons. During his tenure in Gulfport, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Port Authority relating to vessel and terminal operations, safety, security compliance, customer communications, vessel scheduling and terminal maintenance. McNeel also served as a liaison to the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers and pilots.

Prior to Gulfport, McNeel was Director of Operations for the Port of Freeport in Freeport, Texas, and Assistant to the Director of Operations for the Port of Houston Authority in Houston, Texas. His industry involvement includes membership in the American Association of Port Authorities and the US Coast Guard Maritime Security Management Committee.

McNeel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.