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3 hours ago

Maine Port Authority director steps down, interim successor named

By Laurie Schreiber

The Maine Port Authority has been busy in recent years with changes envisioned or underway at the state’s three major ports. But now the authority’s leadership has undergone a major change, with the departure of its executive director and the appointment of an interim replacement.

Matthew Burns left his position as executive director of the Port Authority and has returned to the Maine Department of Transportation in a new role.

Matthew Burns is seen in a headshot.
Photo / Courtesy, Maine Port Authority
Matthew Burns

As of Sept. 23, Burns is serving as the deputy director of MDOT's Office of Freight and Business Logistics, according to a news release.

On Monday, the authority’s board members promoted Chelsea Pettengill from the role of deputy director to serve as the interim executive director.

Major port activity

Burns spent 13 years as a deck officer on passenger ships, tankers, dredges and ultra-deep-water drill ships around the world, then joined the Maine Department of Transportation in 2017 as the director of ports and marine transportation. 

He was appointed the authority’s interim director in 2021 and promoted to the top post in 2022.

The authority, a state agency, oversees port terminals in Portland, Searsport and Eastport as well as the state's railroad facilities, with a mission to stimulate commerce and enhance the global competitiveness.

In recent years, projects under his oversight at MDOT and the authority have included the development of concepts to build a $500 million manufacturing hub on the state-owned Sears Island in the port of Searsport for Maine’s nascent offshore wind industry; construction of a $55 million cold-storage warehouse in Portland, expected to become operational by early 2025; and Portland’s steady growth in the container shipping industry as other large ports around the world falter.

"I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish at the Maine Port Authority over the past several years and am excited to return to MaineDOT in a new role that will help me expand my skills while continuing to support economic opportunities for our state," said Burns, who will work under Nathan Moulton, director of the office of freight and business logistics, to expand his scope of work to include all freight modes, including freight rail, trucking and ports. 

Offshore wind

Burns will continue to be the point person for the state's effort to develop a floating offshore wind port facility in Maine.

"This new position at MaineDOT will allow me to focus on planning, grant work and capital projects across all modes of freight transportation in Maine,” he said. “I will also be continuing to work on the development of a purpose-built port facility to support the floating offshore wind industry. I'm grateful for this opportunity, which I feel is good for me personally as well as for MaineDOT and the MPA."

Burns has served as the authority’s executive director since May 2022. Before that, he served as interim executive director. From 2017 to 2021, he served as MDOT's director of ports and marine transportation.

Promoting Maine’s ports

A Maine native, Pettengill is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a B.S. in vessel operations and technology and an M.S. in international logistics management. Before joining state government, she spent 11 years sailing as a U.S. Merchant Marine deck officer on tall ships, towboats, offshore supply vessels and tugboats.

Much of her time was spent sailing on U.S. waters, including the Great Lakes, inland waterways, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of Alaska.

Chelsea Pettengill is seen by the water.
Photo / Courtesy, Maine Port Authority
Chelsea Pettengill has been named as the interim executive director of the Maine Port Authority.

Pettengill has served as the authority’s deputy director since 2023. In that role, she has worked with port facilities along the Maine coast to develop projects, maintain infrastructure and promote Maine’s position in North Atlantic trade and in New England.

Her appointment became effective Sept. 23. The plan is to continue the authority’s work to promote and maintain Maine's ports, she said. 

“I grew up cruising the Maine coast every summer, which led me to pursue a career in the maritime industry, and it's been a special opportunity to come shoreside and find a position that allows me to stay connected to the water,” Pettengill said.

Wade Merritt, president of the Maine International Trade Center and a member of the authority’s board said Pettengill has played a key role in the authority’s success and growth. 

"Chelsea understands the day-to-day operations, unique challenges and long-term opportunities at Maine's ports,” Merritt said. “This transition period will be seamless and successful with her at the helm."

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