MASSPORT's Port Director Again Elected Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

BOSTON: The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced today that Port Director Michael A. Leone was elected for a second time as Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). The appointment announcement came this week at AAPA's Annual Spring Conference, held in Washington, D.C. The Association states this is the first time ever in their 97-year history that an individual has served twice in this prestigious unpaid role. In October, Leone will be officially installed for the 2009-2010 term at AAPA's Annual Convention, to be held in Galveston, Texas.

As Chairman, Leone will be chief policy officer and have general supervision of the affairs of the Association, which is the principal voice of 160 public port authorities in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The Association provides leadership with regard to trade, transportation, security, sustainability and other issues related to port operations and development. AAPA also promotes the essential role of ports within the global transportation system.

"We are proud of Mike's accomplishments at the Port of Boston, and within the maritime industry. Massport's maritime facilities have seen double-digit growth in all business lines, and improved productivity under his guidance," said Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., Massport's CEO & Executive Director. "Mike's leadership at the helm of the AAPA once again, will serve all our public seaports well, especially during these trying times."

For the past 10 years, Leone has been a member of AAPA's Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and in addition serves as Chairman of the Port Security Task Force. He also represents Massport on the Seaport Advisory Council, Gov. Deval Patrick's administrative panel for coordinating policy and development of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' seaports. Additionally, he is the past President of the North Atlantic Ports Association, which represents ports and terminals from Cape Canaveral, Fla., to Nova Scotia. "Mike is a proven and effective seaport leader who has earned the respect and vote of his industry peers not once, but twice, to serve as AAPA's Chairman of the Board," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's President and CEO. "For an industry that delivers prosperity to millions every day in the form of facilitating trade, economic development, and good-paying jobs, we look forward to Mike's leadership as the seaport industry plays a significant role in re-invigorating the troubled economy."

Leone brings more than 35 years of port and maritime experience to his position with AAPA. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years in various assignments including regional counsel for all Coast Guard Commands in the Northeast, and as a military judge. He came to Massport in 1993 and was senior legal counsel to Massport's Maritime Department before becoming port director in 1998. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and received a J.D. from George Washington University Law School. Leone resides in Kingston, Mass., with his wife Mary. ###

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates Boston Logan International Airport, the Port of Boston, Tobin Memorial Bridge, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion every year and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. For more information visit massport.com.

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