Port CEO prospect resigning from private-sector job

A shipping industry executive who is considered to be the front-runner to fill the top management job at the State Ports Authority is resigning from his current position, The Post and Courier has learned.

Though neither the SPA nor Jim Newsome will publicly discuss Newsome's expected hiring as the maritime agency's new chief executive officer, an internal memo from his current employer announced his departure.

The "appointments" notice from German-based container carrier Hapag-Lloyd says Newsome requested his contract as president of the company's America division end on Aug. 31 "to pursue an opportunity outside the firm."

It continues with a quote from Newsome: "I am very grateful to Hapag-Lloyd for appreciating the reason for my decision and for the wonderful opportunities I have been provided in what have been 12 very satisfying years."

SPA spokesman Byron Miller would not comment on Newsome specifically. He said the agency looks forward to continuing its hiring process.

"Until the board acts and a contract is signed, it remains an active hiring and selection process," Miller said.

Newsome declined to comment about the Hapag-Lloyd memo Wednesday.

He could start at the SPA as early as Sept. 1.

Board member Bill Stern, chairman of the search committee, said the full board will approve a new hire at its June 23 meeting. The 13-member search committee consisting of current and former board members, plus business leaders from around the state, paid executive search firm Boyden $97,500 to recruit candidates for the job.

The group considered more than 100 applicants, narrowed that list to seven and then interviewed five. The SPA has not released the other four names and has not yet responded to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking those names from The Post and Courier.

For more details, see Thursday's editions of The Post and Courier.