Old Lyme Man Joins Connecticut Port Authority

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy appointed four residents to fill vacancies on the recently created Connecticut Port Authority, a quasi-public agency created through legislation the Governor signed in 2014 that is responsible for marketing and coordinating the development of the state’s ports and maritime economy.

“Our deep water ports and other maritime assets are valuable contributors to the state’s economy, and the Connecticut Port Authority will play a major role in our state’s efforts to build on these resources in order to attract private investment, expand business development, and create jobs here at home,” Malloy said.

There are a total of 15 members of the Port Authority’s Board of Directors. In addition to Malloy’s four appointments, the authority’s other members are appointed by legislative leaders of both parties, in addition to several ex-officio members.

Governor Malloy’s nominations to the Connecticut Port Authority’s Board of Directors include:

• Nancy DiNardo of Trumbull: DiNardo, who has served as Connecticut Democratic Party chair for the past decade, was a lifelong educator, serving as the Director of Psychological Services for the Bridgeport Public school system as well as a school psychologist and an elementary school teacher. She received her B.A. from Emmanuel College and an M.A. from Fairfield University.

• Pamela Elkow of Redding: Elkow currently works as an attorney in the environmental practice group with Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey, LLP in Stamford. Previously, she worked for Robinson & Cole, LLP, and Jacobi, Kappel & Kase. She received her B.A. from Colgate University and her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

• John Johnson of Old Lyme: Johnson is involved in a number of business ventures in Connecticut, including as managing partner of Station Saybrook Junction in Old Saybrook, managing partner of 60 Willow Street, LLC, in Mystic, proprietor of the Gallery at Firehouse Square in New London, CEO and owner of Thames River Properties, LLC in New London, managing partner of JBG Ventures, LLC in Stonington, partner of USA Ltd. Partnership in South Norwalk, and president and owner of Newport Marine Products in New London. He received a B.A. from Tufts University.

• Parker Wise of Branford: Wise currently serves as general counsel with American Cruise Lines, Inc./Pearl Seas Cruises, LLC in Guilford. Prior to that, he served as counsel with B+H Ocean Carriers, Ltd. He received a B.A. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law.

“While our maritime industry already supports thousands of jobs, it has the potential for significant growth, particularly in conjunction with the investments we’re making in surface transportation including freight rail,” Malloy said. “Growing our ports also means more trucks off the road and lower emissions. This entity will help our state speak with one unified voice so that we can bolster Connecticut’s maritime sector and the jobs it creates.”

Photo by elcamino73, via flickr creative commons