Peoria, IL – With over 20 years experience  with port operations, Steve Jaeger has been named the first Executive Director of TransPORT (The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District) and will be responsible for driving development activities and the day to day operations of the recently established six county port district. 

 

Jaeger, an Illinois native, has extensive knowledge of the logistics industry through his previous positions as Director of Marketing for the Port of Houston, and his 15 years with one of the country’s largest ports, the Port of New Orleans, serving as Director of Marketing before being promoted to Director of Operations.  Jaeger also served as Adjunct Professor of Logistics at Loyola University from 2003-2004.  He most recently was the Director of Marketing for Garlepied Transfer, Inc. in Metairie, Lousiana prior to accepting the Executive Director position for TransPORT.

 

Through his port staff positions, Jaeger has been involved in all aspects of port business operations, from sales and marketing to handling cargo.  Jaeger has had heavy exposure to intermodal operations, handled projects related to leasehold development and design/layout of new container terminals, and also has a wealth of marketing experience for two major port authorities, encompassing market research, industrial recruitment and outreach, as well as developing publications and corporate communications.

 

“Jaeger’s expertise in port development and the intermodal logistics industry makes him an ideal resource for us as we move forward with the initial development activities of TransPORT,” says Dan Silverthorn, Chairman of the TransPORT Board of Directors.  “It is important that we learn from knowledgeable experts in this industry, and we’re honored to have Steve lead us in TransPORT development activities.”

 

“This is a unique career opportunity for me – as a start-up operation and as an emerging intermodal distribution hub located on the inland waterway system, the TransPORT region offers endless opportunities for development,” says Steve Jaeger, newly appointed Executive Director of TransPORT.  “With TransPORT’s increased activity over the past year, I look forward to exploring and leading development opportunities, focusing on generating non-exportable jobs throughout the six county region and making TransPORT self-sustaining.” 

 

The recruitment process for the Executive Director was a national search seeking a candidate with experience as a port district director.  Position requirements also included five years of significant management experience in port operation or industrial maritime development, familiarity with waterway commerce, knowledge of international and intermodal trade, and knowledge of rail, water, and highway transportation.

 

The Executive Director’s salary is funded through contributions from the six counties that comprise the TransPORT region (Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford).  Jaeger is expected to begin his position as full-time Executive Director of TransPORT in late September.  In his new role, Jaeger will report to the nine member TransPORT Board of Directors and will be housed out of the TransPORT office located adjacent to The Heartland Partnership office. 

 

TransPORT has grown tremendously in the two years it has been operating.  In the past several months, TransPORT has closed on a $6.2 million bond project and announced the redevelopment of the former Caterpillar Inc. foundry in Mapleton, Illinois. In addition, TransPORT continues to explore economic development opportunities from throughout the six counties it encompasses. The work underway and projects that will be explored and implemented in the near future necessitate the hiring of this full time Executive Director. To date, Jim McConoughey, President/CEO of The Heartland Partnership, has been filling the position of Interim Executive Director.