Peter T. Leach | Jun 09, 2009 2:17PM EDT
Charleston media are speculating that the South Carolina State Ports Authority narrowed its search for a new chief executive down to James Newsome, the president of Hapag-Lloyd (North America).
Local newspaper the Charleston Post and Courier reported that Newsome rose to the top of the list of five finalists for the position.
Reached by phone in his office in Piscataway, N.J., Newsome declined comment on the report.
Newsome, a native of Savannah, joined Hapag-Lloyd in 1997 and took over as president on Jan. 1. He is the first non-German president of Hapag-Lloyd America.
If Newsome is named to head the SCSPA, he will move into the position vacated by Bernard Groseclose, Jr., who resigned as president and chief executive in January.
The SCSPA declined to confirm that Newsome has been chosen. “The search process is not complete until the board meets to make its selection and approves an employment contract,” said Byron Miller, a spokesman for the SCSPA.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the hiring process, it would be inappropriate for the authority to speak officially on any potential candidates at this time. However, we hope that the selection will be finalized soon and more information will be made available in the coming weeks,” Miller said.
The next meeting of the SCSPA board is scheduled for June 23, when the new chief executive of the Port of Charleston could be named.
“There has certainly been significant interest in the position, and we feel certain that the new CEO will be a tremendous leader for South Carolina's public ports,” Miller said.
Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.
