Meet the AAPA Board of Directors

CHETT CHIASSON, Greater Lafourche Port Commission

Chett Chiasson is the Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC), which runs Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport.

Chett’s experience at the Port Commission over the past 17 years includes the marketing and leasing of port and airport properties as well as grant writing, management, and disaster recovery. His battle-tested leadership saw Port Fourchon through the aftermath of a direct hit from 2021’s Hurricane Ida, highlighting the port’s resilience and strength by opening for business within nine days of landfall.

Since being named director in January 2010, Chett has played a leadership role in working to protect Port Fourchon and Louisiana’s surrounding coast from devastating land loss while also stressing the importance of the energy industry for our local, state, and national economies and U.S. energy security. As chair of the Gulf Caucus, U.S. Delegation Legislative Policy Council member, and board member for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), he advocates for ports and port-forward policy on a national level. Chett has also had several opportunities to testify to the U.S. Congress regarding the economic importance of Port Fourchon and the energy industry and how industry and the environment can and do work together. He continues to champion that message, most recently with his 2021 appointments to the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Mexico Offshore Wind Task Force and the Louisiana Climate Initiatives Task Force Transportation Committee.

On the state level, Chett serves on the boards of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Financing Corporation and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation. Chett is also Chairman of the Louisiana CPRA Board’s Finance Working Group.

He is Chairman of the LA 1 Coalition Board of Directors, Vice President of the Executive Board of Restore or Retreat, President of the Gulf Ports Association, a Fourchon Oilman’s Association board member, and a member of the SLEC Emerging Energy Task Force. Also, Chett is a past chairman of the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL), the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA), and the Bayou Industrial Group (BIG).

He is a graduate of both Leadership Lafourche (2008) and Leadership Louisiana (2009), was named one of the Best of Lafourche’s Forty under Forty (2014), and was honored as the LSU Public Administration Institute’s 2015 Distinguished MPA Alumnus.

Chett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from LSU. Geaux Tigers.

RICHARD HENDRICK, Albany Port District Commission

Rich Hendrick was selected by the Board of Commissioners to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Albany-Rensselaer beginning in June 2008. During this time, the port has experienced historical increases in ships, tonnage and longshore labor hours worked at the port. Mr. Hendrick has also overseen the largest capital investment and infrastructure upgrades since the port was established in 1932, nearing $100 million.

Mr. Hendrick serves on the Board of Commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York and is on the AAPA Board of Directors, representing the U.S. North Atlantic Ports Region and serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Atlantic Ports Association. He is also on the Board of the Historic Cherry Hill in South Albany and serves on the Board of Directors of the W.F. Bruen Hose Company [Clinton Heights Fire Department] in East Greenbush, NY.

Prior to serving as GM, Mr. Hendrick was the Director of Security and Threat Assessment for the Port of Albany. He retired from City of Albany Police Department as a Detective after serving for 17 years.

LISA LEFEBER, Port of Everett

Lisa Lefeber is the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Everett, becoming the first woman to lead the Port in its more than 100 year history when she assumed the role in October 2019. She previously served as Deputy Executive Director and, before that, as Chief of Policy and Communications for more than 13 years, overseeing the Port’s government affairs, communications, and community engagement efforts. In 2016, Lefeber was selected to lead the Port’s seaport modernization program, a more than $100 million infrastructure investment to accommodate larger vessels, expanded rail capacity, and strategic military cargo. Lefeber began her career at the Port in 2005 after working as a news reporter and holds a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Washington University. She has also previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Port Authorities.

ERIK VARELA, Illinois International Port District

Erik Varela has served as the Executive Director of the Illinois International Port Authority since September 2021. 

Prior to being named Executive Director, Mr. Varela most recently served as Senior Director of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.  In that role he was responsible for leading all legislative, governmental and community relations activities in Illinois and Wisconsin on behalf of Union Pacific.  During his time with Union Pacific, Erik served as Chairman of the Illinois Railroad Association and on several boards and committees, including the Illinois Freight Advisory Council, CMAP Freight Committee, Cook County Economic Development Advisory Council, Will County CED, Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce, and others.  

Prior to Union Pacific, Erik worked for fifteen years at various levels of local government, was a small business owner and restaurant manager. A graduate of DePaul Law School, he began his government service as an attorney with the Law Offices of the Cook County Public Defender where he drafted and argued appeals and post-conviction petitions on behalf of his clients. Shortly thereafter, he continued his work as a public servant as an attorney and government affairs professional with the Chicago Park District and the Forest Preserves of Cook County.  In this capacity Erik represented these agencies before the Chicago City Council, the  Cook County Board and the Illinois General Assembly. Additionally, his work involved senior management responsibilities; real estate contract negotiations and drafting; litigation and trial work; as well as serving as FOIA Officer among other duties. 

These years of government and legal service culminated into his work as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s Special Assistant for Government and Legislative Affairs. In this role, Erik was responsible for protecting and advancing the President’s legislative agenda; ensuring passage of the County’s Budget; managing the Cook County Board Agenda; leading the County’s various legislative liaisons and serving as the President’s primary liaison to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, various county and municipal elected officials and entities.  

Aside from his time studying at Michigan State University and working in the Detroit area, Erik was born in Chicago where he lived and played in the Albany Park and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.  He currently resides in the Logan Square community with his wife and daughter.

RICHARD J. HENDRICK, Albany Port District Commission

Rich Hendrick was selected by the Board of Commissioners to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Albany-Rensselaer beginning in June 2008. During this time, the port has experienced historical increases in ships, tonnage and longshore labor hours worked at the port. Mr. Hendrick has also overseen the largest capital investment and infrastructure upgrades since the port was established in 1932, nearing $100 million.

Mr. Hendrick serves on the Board of Commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York and is on the AAPA Board of Directors, representing the U.S. North Atlantic Ports Region and serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Atlantic Ports Association. He is also on the Board of the Historic Cherry Hill in South Albany and serves on the Board of Directors of the W.F. Bruen Hose Company [Clinton Heights Fire Department] in East Greenbush, NY.

Prior to serving as GM, Mr. Hendrick was the Director of Security and Threat Assessment for the Port of Albany. He retired from City of Albany Police Department as a Detective after serving for 17 years.

U.S. Gulf Ports, 2024-2026

PHYLLIS SAATHOFF, Port Freeport

Phyllis Saathoff is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of service in the port industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, is a certified public accountant and a certified Professional Port Manager®.

Phyllis began her maritime career at Port Freeport in 1992 serving as Managing Director and Interim Executive Port Director/CEO before joining the Port of Houston Authority executive team in October 2012. Phyllis returned to Port Freeport in April 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer.

Under her leadership, Port Freeport successfully secured federal funding and a 2020 “new start” designation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for commencement of construction to deepen the Freeport Harbor Channel to 56 feet and commenced dredging of the first reach in 2021.  Phyllis was also instrumental in initiating the development and financing of the Port’s container terminal and bringing new business and investment to the Port.

Phyllis currently serves on the executive committee for the National Waterways Conference and is a member and past chair of the Port Authority Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is the Immediate Past President of Texas Ports Association.  Locally, is a member of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council.  Phyllis was presented the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), received the 2019 Stephen F. Austin Leadership Award from the Brazoria County Historical Museum and was presented the 2023 Russell H. Perry Award by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Vacancy

JULIANNA MARLER, Port of Vancouver USA

Julianna Marler was appointed CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA in January 2017. She joined the port in 2008 and prior to her appointment, served as the port’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. Julianna is the first female CEO in the port’s 107-year history. Her diverse professional background includes both private and public sector experience in logistics, sales, manufacturing, and leadership in procurement, contracts, finance and administration.

Julianna initiated development of the port’s new Strategic Plan and has advanced key strategic initiatives including the port’s West Vancouver Freight Access Project, Terminal 1 Waterfront project, and the development of industrial properties including the port’s Centennial Industrial Park.

Julianna currently serves on the American Association of Port Authorities Board of Directors, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Association of Washington Business Board of Directors, the Washington State University Vancouver Advisory Council and is a member of the International Women’s Forum and Vancouver Rotary Club. Recipient of a 2018 Iris Award – an award honoring women of achievement in Southwest Washington – Julianna engages in ongoing activities to encourage and support women in leadership positions.

A native of Vancouver, Julianna attended Clark College and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University Vancouver.

KRISTINE A. ZORTMAN, Port of Redwood City

Kristine A. Zortman is the Executive Director of the Port of Redwood City where she is responsible for implementing long-range organizational goals and policies for the seventh largest port in California.

While serving in this role, Zortman has spearheaded several key initiatives that have positioned south San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port for long-term success. This includes developing the port’s first-ever strategic vision plan, which will guide the port’s development through 2025. The plan calls for maximizing land use, improving infrastructure, diversifying maritime and commercial business efforts, improving operations and protecting the environment – all with the overall goal of strengthening the port’s impact on the region’s economy and quality of life. 

Zortman’s port experience also includes eight years at the Port of San Diego where she worked on commercial real estate negotiations for cargo and maritime trade growth. She also served as vice president of neighborhood investment for Civic San Diego, a non-profit economic development agency. She began her career working in the environmental and biological realms for the National Park Service and Heitman Financial, a real estate investment management firm in Los Angeles. 

Zortman was named the 2021 Chamber San Mateo County’s Businesswoman of the Year; serves as president of the California Association of Port Authorities; and is a board member for the Bay Planning Coalition, California Marine Affairs & Navigation Conference, and the San Francisco Marine Exchange. 

Her unique ability to navigate the complex intersection of public and private interests has led to the successful implementation of pioneering policies, including cost recovery initiatives, environmentally conscious practices and unique development opportunities.

She holds a degree in biology from George Mason University and has pursued graduate studies from the University of Utah and University of California Los Angeles.

Vacancy

BETH ANN BRANCH, Port of New Orleans

BETHANN ROONEY, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey