Peter T. Leach | Jul 25, 2011 10:09AM EDT
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell replaced 10 out of the 11 members on the board that oversees the Virginia Port Authority in an effort to spur lagging volume and revenue.
McDonnell announced the shakeup Friday. Some members had several years remaining on their five-year terms.
The overall number of ships of all kinds that called the various VPA terminals in the first six months of 2011 declined by 4.6 percent to 895 from 938 a year earlier, according to the VPA website, which does not yet post data on container volume or revenue for the year-to-date.
Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton told media outlets the administration was not happy with production at the agency. He said many of the board members did not understand the business.
All the members, who are seasoned business leaders were strong Republican ties, were appointed by former Democratic Govs. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
The lone member remaining on the board is Michael Quillen, CEO and chairman of Alpha Natural Resources, a major McDonnell donor.
The new members will be sworn in Tuesday.
-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.
