Port Saint John ceo elected 2015/16 AAPA chairmanPort Saint John ceo elected 2015/16 AAPA chairman

Quinn is to be installed for a one-year term on the final day of the association’s 104th Annual Convention, set for Nov. 2-4 in Miami. He will assume the AAPA chairmanship from Port of Hueneme (California) ceo and port director Kristin Decas, who began her one-year term as chairwoman last October.

'With a vast maritime, management and public-sector governance background, Jim Quinn is a superb choice to lead our association for the upcoming activity year,' said AAPA president and ceo Kurt Nagle. 'Jim’s experience and leadership will be of enormous value as our hemispheric ports work together to address common challenges and priorities.'

Having served in leadership positions for more than 30 years in the marine and public sectors of Canada, Quinn was appointed to lead the Saint John Port Authority in September 2010. He began his career on ships sailing out of Saint John in the mid-1970s prior to re-joining the Canadian Coast Guard in 1981 where he served as regional director of the Central and Arctic Region, and director general of Marine Programs.

After 23 years in the Canadian Coast Guard, Quinn joined the Privy Council Office’s Machinery of Government Secretariat and Social Development Policy Secretariat as a senior adviser. Later, he joined Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as director general of Lands. From there, he was promoted several times, culminating in the chief financial officer/assistant deputy minister role.

Just prior to becoming Port Saint John’s top leader, Quinn was cfo for the Canadian International Development Agency.