Corpus Christi, TX, USA – The Port of Corpus Christi established a formal Planning Department and welcomed Jeffrey Pollack as its Director of Planning. Pollack specializes in managing urban and industrial growth in coastal zones and brings significant expertise in land use and multi-modal transportation planning. He is certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners and is an Envision Sustainability Professional through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

Previously Pollack served as the Executive Director of the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Coastal Bend.

The Port’s Planning Department is responsible for strategic planning, land-use master planning, coastal planning, transportation planning, federal and state grant pursuits, development of sustainable growth policy, and GIS functions. Led by Pollack, the department will include Leslie Ruta, Strategic Planner and Grants Developer, and Tara Perry, Strategic Planner and Financial Analyst. Ruta and Perry leverage valuable financial experience and insight into the industrial and maritime marketplace.

“I’m thrilled to be here at the Port of Corpus Christi,” Pollack said. “The Port is absolutely booming, and the executive leadership clearly is committed to a strategic approach to growth that will optimize the opportunities at hand, not just for the Port, but for the broader community, as well. I also am really excited about the chance to build community collaborations around the planning process.”

The Port’s commitment to a strategic, data-driven approach to land use and resource allocation marshalled the creation of a dedicated planning department. The skillsets embedded therein will enhance the Port’s capacity to engage and collaborate with neighbors and partners at the community level.

“The creation of our planning department is yet another milestone as we evolve into a world-class organization. Our emergence as a major player in the global energy marketplace requires the Port of Corpus Christi to be a more thoughtful yet nimble agency, and Jeff is a perfect fit for us as we improve our process to better anticipate the infrastructure needs of our clients, present and future,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Corpus Christi.