Lauren Gleason is Massport's new port director

She will lead business planning and development, strategic initiatives, financial management and the safety and security and day-to-day oversight of the maritime division.

The Port of Boston generates $8.2b in annual economic impact and supports more than 66,000 jobs.

Gleason has been at Massport since 2017, serving as interim port director, chief administrative officer and deputy port director of business development.

Steadfast port champion

'Lauren has been a steadfast champion for the port, showcasing her valuable expertise in the many areas of our maritime operations,' Massport CEO Rich Davey said. 'I know she will continue to work tirelessly to expand Massport’s presence and influence in both the cargo and cruise industries, drive economic growth for Boston and Massachusetts and improve the overall position of the Port of Boston on a global scale.

'I’m thrilled to have her on my leadership team,' he added, 'and confident that she will continue to harness new opportunities to keep connecting New England to the world through our maritime facilities.'

Maritime and cruise accomplishments

Gleason developed and implemented the maritime business development strategy for Conley Terminal and Flynn Cruiseport Boston. At Conley this has resulted in expanding the terminal’s global direct connectivity from seven ports to 40 ports weekly, and growing the business by 18% over the past 12 months and 84% over the past 24 months.

Nine-month cruise season

At Flynn Cruiseport, the business has expanded to become a nine-month season, and through a collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line, Boston will welcome its largest homeport ship in 2026, the 4,500-berth Norwegian Breakaway.

Flynn Cruiseport Boston has been growing year over year and anticipates a total of 167 calls from 24 cruise lines and approximately 470,000 passengers this season, which ends in November. The cruise facility supports $135.5m in annual economic impact as home to nearly 2,200 jobs (direct, induced and indirect) and generates $40m in federal, state and local tax revenue, according to the 2018 Economic Impact Report by Martin Associates.

Began at Hanjin Shipping

Gleason began her career in supply chain and transportation at Hanjin Shipping. She spent nearly six years as the New England sales manager and was responsible for all sales, strategic initiatives and operations for New England and Eastern Canada-based importers and exporters. Her role also included increasing the footprint and market share for Hanjin in the Northeast and facilitating peak season planning meetings on behalf of Hanjin’s customers throughout Asia.

Before Massport, Gleason worked at Wayfair, building the foundation and groundwork for their international supply chain program.

Search firm Shey Harding advised Massport on the recruitment for this position.