Gardner named new port authority

Chris Gardner of Dennysville was selected as the new port director at the May 8 special meeting of the Eastport Port Authority board of directors. Gardner fills the port director position held by John Sullivan, who resigned effective December 31, 2006. Sullivan continues to serve as a member of the port authority board.

There were nine applicants for the port director position. The annual salary will be $42,000. The final selection was made from a group of four applicants, with three from the local area. In addition to Gardner, area candidates included Robert Lewis and Ken Stuart.

Port authority board Chairman George Finch says, "Chris brings to the position a new vibrancy as the port authority redefines its place in the community. During the first 30 years, the port has seen its role changing from basically being the facilitator of the cargo port through changing times, which brings with it a need for the facilitation of local and regional economic development." In discussing the appointment, Finch notes that Gardner will not only be responsible for meeting the marketing and management of Maine's most eastern port, but will work to continue the port authority's diversification into opportunities such as marine operations, cruise ships and tourism, property utilization of the Coast Guard facility and the former Rinaldi property, and other areas as they are presented.

Port authority board member Jett Peterson says Gardner was the unanimous choice of the board. "That is incredible in itself," comments Peterson. Absent at the May 7 meeting were board members Robert Lewis and Jonathan Daniels. Peterson likes Gardner's ability to be very positive. "I have high hopes for him. I believe he has a grasp of the community's needs."

Gardner says, "I will hit the ground running with everything I have. I want to see the port prosper. I feel confident, and there are great people here that will help me along." The day following his appointment, Gardner was meeting with various members of the board on an individual basis.

Gardner graduated from Shead High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and finance from the University of Maine at Machias. He currently serves as board chairman of the Washington County Commissioners and has served as an officer for the county sheriff's department as well as the city of Eastport.