In the wake of recent and pending retirements, the Alabama State Port Authority director and chief executive officer James K. Lyons announced four promotions within his senior management team to meet organizational needs in the port’s administration and operating areas. “We’ve had a number of announced retirements and these personnel changes will allow us to provide better service to both our customers and to our organization,” said Lyons.
Lyons elevated Linda Paaymans from her current position as senior vice president of Finance to chief financial officer. Paaymans holds over 35 years of financial, IT, procurement, planning and production management experience from both the private and public sector. Since 2008, the Authority’s recently retired chief financial officer, Larry Downs, mentored Linda to take the reins of the Authority’s financial services division. In 2011, Paaymans was promoted to senior vice president of Financial Services holding oversight on day-to-day financial management and information management systems. The Port Authority’s Board of Directors also named Paaymans secretary/treasurer in December.
Lyons also promoted Danny Barnett to vice president of Human Resources. This division overseas the Authority’s personnel, medical services, training and safety programs. Barnett is a 43-year veteran at the Port having served in a number of supervisory and management positions in general cargo and bulk operations, billing and human resources. During his tenure at the Port Authority, Barnett served 23 years with the Alabama Army National Guard, which included a tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Barnett retired from the Guard in 2007 with the rank of Major. Since 2003, Barnett has managed the Authority’s human resources, medical services and employee training departments.
In another move, Lyons promoted Bill Inge to vice president, General Cargo and Central Services. This expanded division will oversee general cargo, maintenance, fleet services, Port Police and the Harbormaster offices. Inge holds over 38 years of experience in maritime transportation and terminal operations. In 2007, the Port Authority recruited Inge from the Dole Fresh Fruit where he had served in the company’s U.S. East, West and Gulf Coasts, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Central America operations. In 2011, Mr. Inge was named manager of the Port Authority’s General Cargo and Intermodal division.
In the Authority’s trade division, Lyons promoted Parrish Lawler to director of Trade and Development. Lawler joined the Authority in 2014 as manager of Trade and Development with over 20 years of experience in transportation, logistics, sales and marketing. In his new role, Lawler will direct container carrier sales and containerized cargo business development for the Authority. Over the course of his career, Lawler has worked in operations, customer service and sales management for companies like Inchcape, CH Robinson and Norton Lilly. He also oversaw railroad sales for the GC Railway.
