Ports America Group, Inc. (Ports America or the company), the largest marine terminal operator and stevedore in North America, today announced the appointment of Mark Montgomery as president and CEO. Mark replaces former president and CEO, Michael Hassing. The company wishes Michael the best of luck and success in his future endeavors.

Mark was previously president and CEO of Ports America Chesapeake (PAC) from 2010 to 2014, and currently serves as a senior advisor and operating partner to the Infrastructure Investing strategy of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree), where he brings more than 30 years of maritime industry experience. Mark led the company through a successful Public Private Partnership with the Maryland Port Administration at PAC in 2010. He also serves in board roles at the Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), PAC, the Delaware River Stevedore joint venture in Philadelphia, the CP&O joint venture in Norfolk, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company and the Eller-ITO Stevedoring joint ventures in Miami. Mark also serves on the Board of the National Association of Waterfront Employers, the North Atlantic Ports Association and the General Stevedoring Council. His exceptional track record of providing outstanding customer service, market-leading safety and operational performance will serve Ports America well.
Concurrent with the transition, Dave Starling will assume the responsibility of chairman of the board of directors. Dave has more than 40 years of experience in the North American rail, intermodal and global shipping logistics industries. Most notably, Dave served as the CEO of Kansas City Southern (KCS), a publicly traded Class I railroad. He currently serves on the board of directors of Greenbrier, an international railcar manufacturing and leasing company. Prior to KCS, Dave held management, leadership and operational positions at the Panama Canal Railways Company, American President Lines, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad and Burlington Northern. He was named the Railway Age's Railroader of the Year in 2012. Furthermore, Dave currently serves as a senior advisor to Oaktree's Infrastructure Investing strategy.