Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-pollack-aicp-env-sp-85919754/

Description
Big picture community and environmental planner who specializes in growth and land use issues in the coastal zone. Lead for decarbonization at Port Corpus Christi, the leading energy export gateway in the US.

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Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/smbetsalel/

Description
Simon Betsalel is a capital project manager at the Port of San Francisco. He leads the Port’s offshore wind effort, is managing the landside scope for electrifying the SF Bay Ferry fleet, and advocates for the Port’s natural shoreline. Prior to joining the Port, Simon worked for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, managing projects for the NYC Ferry system and the New York City waterfront. Into birds and gardens, he sees capital projects as an opportunity to build and strengthen communities, human and natural alike.

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Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/efederer/

Description
Emily Federer has worked at the Port since 2014. She is over environmental compliance, sustainability programs, and port permitting. Emily focuses on advancing sustainability initiatives at Port NOLA and with partners in the maritime sector. She has project managed several federal funding opportunities including the FHWA Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities funding opportunity, Port NOLA’s Clean Truck Replacement Incentive Program (Clean TRIP), and the Port Inner Harbor Economic Revitalization Plan (PIER Plan). She is motivated to find innovative solutions supporting future sustainable development that is protective of the environment and human health, while considering climate, shifting energy needs, and providing new opportunities to local residents. Emily previously worked at Jefferson Parish Environmental, the Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company, and the City of Racine Environmental Health Laboratory. She has a Master of Science in Public Health in Environmental Science from Tulane University School of Public Health, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, is a Loyola University Environmental Communications Fellow, Rice Business Executive Education Alumni, a Certified Maritime Port Executive (MPE), and Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Certified Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP).

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Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-pestello/

Description
Mr. Pestello is the Director of Engineering Maintenance, and Development at the Port of Lake Charles where he is responsible for all capital and maintenance projects, future project development, and grants management.  He has been at the Port for the last eleven years working closely with numerous engineers, consultants, and contractors to plan, construct and deliver projects to meet the Port’s needs.  He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from McNeese State University; he's a licensed PE in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as a graduate of the 2023 class of the Professional Port Manager program through the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).

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Description
Sheeba Varughese is the Chief Information Officer for the Port of Los Angeles. She is responsible for IT strategy, modernization, development, and infrastructure at the Port of Los Angeles, in addition to leadership of the technology organization. Ms. Varughese has an extensive career of over 22 years in Southern California public sector technology, including assignments within City of Los Angeles Information Technology Agency, Los Angeles World Airports, and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. She is widely recognized in transportation and public sector associations for leading complex information technology programs. Sheeba is known to be highly collaborative with a successful leadership approach in unifying stakeholders with day-to-day endeavors, significant projects and strategic perspectives. Sheeba holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, India. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (Electrical Engineering) in the State of California and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

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Description
With over two decades of experience in the ports and maritime industry, Brandon M. Bergeron, P.E., serves as the Director of Engineering for the Port of Beaumont, where he leads the planning, coordination, and execution of capital projects, major maintenance initiatives, master planning, and future infrastructure development. Before joining the Port of Beaumont, Mr. Bergeron was the Engineering Manager at Lanier & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc., where he played a key role as a senior project manager and engineering consultant. In this capacity, he led the design and execution of numerous marine terminal projects for public ports and private-sector clients along the Gulf and East Coasts. Mr. Bergeron began his career with Lanier & Associates in New Orleans after earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 2003. Initially focused on structural inspection services and marine terminal design, he relocated to Beaumont, TX, in 2006 to establish and expand a new satellite office for the firm. Over the next 12 years, he advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, ultimately becoming Engineering Manager of the Civil and Structural Engineering Group. In this leadership role, he oversaw a team of professional engineers and design staff, consistently delivering high-quality engineering solutions that met the rigorous demands of both public and private sector clients. A licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and Louisiana, Mr. Bergeron remains deeply committed to advancing excellence in the maritime infrastructure sector. Outside of his professional career, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Veronica, and their two children, Sophie and Evan.

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Description
Taylor Mitchell is a proud Detroit native and a passionate advocate for a sustainable and equitable future. In her role as Sustainability Manager at the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, Taylor leads the implementation of the Port’s Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan, advancing strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve community health, and support the transition to a net-zero future by 2040. Taylor’s work sits at the intersection of environmental stewardship, economic development, and maritime advancement, with a focus on creating long-term benefits for both the region and its residents.

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Description
Michael Fink is the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Information Technology for the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay. He has been with the organization since 1996, and is responsible for the overall management and operation of the Maritime Exchange computer network and infrastructure as well as determining long-term technology and telecommunications needs. As the lead technical liaison for the Exchange, Mr. Fink manages programming development and implementation of Maritime On-Line initiatives. He oversees the organization’s grants and provides management oversight of membership programs. He is also responsible for the development of the Exchange’s web presence, newsletters, and other promotional materials. He is the lead Exchange liaison to the organization’s Government Affairs Committee and Chilean Fruit Work Group. Mr. Fink is the Exchange’s primary representative on the Customs Electronic Systems Action Committee, the Maritime Information Systems of North America, and the U.S. Customs Trade Support Network, and he serves as the Chair of the American Association of Port Authorities Technology Committee. He serves on the board of the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society, and previously served on the boards of the Women’s International Trade Association and the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. He often assists other organizations in the region with his desktop publishing and graphical design skills.

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Description
Kelly Crow is a seasoned data analyst with more than 10 years of experience in the field. She currently serves as a Performance Data and Reporting Analyst at the Port of Vancouver USA, where she has been working since April 2023. During her time at the port, she created the organization’s Data Governance Initiative and currently serves as a co-project manager for the port’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project. Before joining the port, Kelly held key analyst roles across multiple industries including gaming and retail where she strengthened her expertise in data strategy and performance analysis. Kelly holds a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from California State University, Monterey Bay.

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Description
Melissa Parks is a government relations manager focusing on maritime sustainability at the Port of Seattle, working to achieve the port’s goals for maritime decarbonization, improving marine health, and restoring and enhancing marine habitat. Prior to joining the Port, Melissa spent over a decade with The Pew Charitable Trusts focused on maritime, energy, and conservation issues.

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Description
Mark Dubina currently serves as Vice President of Security for Port Tampa Bay. Mr. Dubina is a graduate of Florida State University, with extensive additional specialized training in law enforcement operations and seaport security. Mr. Dubina is a Certified Law Enforcement Officer, Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Port Executive™. Mr. Dubina has a combined 32 years of law enforcement and public sector management experience. Mr. Dubina’s current duties include management of all aspects of security operations for the Port, Florida’s largest and most diversified port. Mr. Dubina serves on the board of the Tampa Bay Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Working Group, the State of Florida Domestic Security Oversight Council Critical Infrastructure Working Group, the Tampa Bay Regional Domestic Security Task Force and the Area Maritime Security Committee. Mr. Dubina is also a board member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr. Dubina was the Chief of Investigations for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Tampa. During his career with FDLE, Mr. Dubina gained extensive experience organizing and directing investigations, supervising special events and coordinating security details for visiting dignitaries.

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