CPA’s Camacho is new ports group president

At its annual conference held at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel during the week of Aug. 21, the Association of Pacific Ports elected its new officers for 2005-2006 with Antonio S. Camacho, a Commonwealth Ports Authority board member, being chosen as the new APP president.

Camacho, one of the longest member of the CPA board, has been very much involved with APP since over a decade ago with special interest in promoting the port industry and related seaport programs throughout the Pacific regions.

CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas and Port of Saipan manager Lee Cabrera were also in Seattle attending this conference.

“We are very proud of Mr. Camacho’s accomplishments and we are deeply honored to have a CPA board member at the helm of such a prestigious organization. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Camacho and all of the APP officers in promoting APP’s program and in organizing next year’s conference to be held right here on Saipan. The fact that Saipan is the official conference site for 2006, this venue will provide the CNMI unique opportunities to bring out island-port issues to influential port leaders. APP might be very helpful in offering us realistic solutions or taking our concerns to the federal level,” said Cabrera.

Other notable members of APP include the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Port of Longview, Port of Redwood City, Port of Guam, Taiwan, Mexico and Canada.

Other officers elected at the Seattle conference were Alfonso Gil Diaz from the Port of Mazatlan as first vice president, Art Cowie from the North Fraser Port Authority of British Columbia as second vice president, Joseph Johnson from the Port of Stockton as third vice president.

The three-day conference brought together port leaders from all Pacific regions under the theme “Security and Future Growth: Challenges and Opportunities.”

APP members also honored executive director Don White for his many years of faithful leadership and service. White will retire at the end of August after serving as APP executive director since 1996. Dave Hunt has assumed this port replacing White.

CPA said it is honored to serve as APP’s host for next year’s conference to be held at the Hyatt Regency Saipan tentatively scheduled from Aug. 20 to 23, 2006.

“We look forward to putting together very productive APP sessions to promote the port industry amongst great port leaders. Though we will take advantage of this unique opportunity to promote our islands, we are definitely committed in making next year’s conference as enjoyable and memorable as it can ever be,” said Salas in confirming next year’s event.

The APP was founded in 1913 to promote increased efficiency and effectiveness of Pacific ports located in areas tributary to the Pacific Ocean. (PR)