Vol. 8, No. 8 January 2024

Staying the Course, Looking Ahead

Dietrich Assumes Interim Port Director Role

As a center for regional development and commerce, the Port of Brownsville has demonstrated its commitment to growth in the last decade. The port handles diverse cargo via a seamless logistical network safely and efficiently.

Closing out the year on significant milestones, the Port of Brownsville begins 2024 with Port Chief of Police William Dietrich succeeding former Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano as Interim Port Director.

The Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners began a national search for a new port director and CEO in August and named Dietrich as interim in December while the search continues.

"Building upon record achievements, the Port of Brownsville is on the path for tremendous growth," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "As the search for a port director continues, we are confident Mr. Dietrich will leverage his experience to steer the port and our region forward in the interim."

A U.S. Army veteran, Dietrich served the Brownsville Police Department for 26 years as part of the Uniformed Services Command, Investigative Services Command, Special Investigations Unit, and the Hazardous Devices Unit and retired as Commander before joining the port in July 2022. Dietrich holds a bachelor’s degree in Science from the University of Texas at Brownsville (now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) and a Master’s Degree in Leadership Management from Western Governor’s University.

"The Port of Brownsville is a beacon of economic development with private and public investments benefitting the region and state," said Dietrich. "I am honored to work with our port staff, business community and stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing legacy for which the port is renowned."

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra presented Norma Torres with the 2023 Chairman’s Award for her exemplary leadership throughout her career at the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, at the Port of Brownsville’s annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held Dec. 14, at the Ambassador Event Center in Brownsville.

Port of Brownsville Recognizes Torres with 2023 Chairman’s Award

Former Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) President & COO Norma Torres Norma Torres received the prestigious 2023 Chairman’s Award in recognition of her exemplary career during the Port of Brownsville’s Annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held Dec. 14, at the Ambassador Event Center.

The event highlights the achievements of port tenants and customers throughout the year.

After working as a bookkeeper at the port, Torres joined the BRG in 1989 as a contract laborer. In 2001, she assumed leadership of the BRG becoming the first female president of a Texas shortline railroad. Under her direction, the BRG experienced remarkable growth, from 26,000 annual railcar loads in 2001 to more than 85,000 estimated in 2023. Since 2019, annual volumes have grown exponentially, a trend that is expected to continue.

Torres has played a pivotal role in the shortline’s success, fostering key partnerships, and navigating significant increases in the movement of commodities serving industries across North America.

Port's Strategic Location Draws $18.4B Investment

Editor's Note: This article is originally featured at www.ytexas.com

NextDecade is making a significant investment in Brownsville, Texas.

What caused us to invest here and what are some of the strategic benefits of that NextDecade is investing $18.4 billion in our phase one of our Rio Grande LNG facility. It’s the largest private investment in a greenfield energy project in US history. That’s just for phase one. Phase two will be down the road.

The number one reason we chose Brownsville is for it’s strategic location. It has a deepwater port, and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico and to world markets. It also has easy access to gas supply out of the Permian Basin and out of the Eagle Ford shale. With this, we are not constrained in getting a gas supply – similar to some of the plants in Louisiana.

Port Delivers Christmas Cheer to Non-Profits

Port staff gave Santa a helping hand in December coordinating a holiday collection drive for local non-profit organizations.

Thanks to support from the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners and their families, port staff, ARX Energy LLC, and Fortune Ferrous, Inc., the annual toy drive and adopt-a-grandparent campaigns were a success.

The contributed toys and care packages were delivered to the following organizations:

Brownsville Nursing & Rehab Center
Alta Vista Rehabilitation and Healthcare
Good Neighbor Settlement House
Monica's House
Moody Clinic

OmniTRAX/BRG Good Neighbor Awards 2023

OmniTRAX and the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway(BRG) presented donations to eight organizations on Dec. 12, as part of the 2023 OmniTRAX/BRG "Good Neighbor" Award.

This annual celebration is a testament to OmniTRAX & BRG’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities they serve.

The recipients of this year's award include BiG Heroes Texas, Walk For Women, Good Neighbor Settlement House, Proyecto Juan Diego, Sunshine Haven, Food Bank of Rio Grande Valley, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties, and Moody Clinic.

"I am not just proud of our successes in 2023 but also of how we continue to help our RGV & Brownsville community," said Shariff Gonnella, President of OmniTRAX/BRG. "This holiday season, our commitment to helping those in need is stronger than ever. Our work goes beyond generosity; it's about our deep commitment to helping our neighbors and standing by them."

BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Commissioner

Commissioner

PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION

William Dietrich

Interim Port Director & CEO

Port Administration

Ph: 956.831.4592 / 800.378.5395

Fax: 956.831.5006

www.portofbrownsville.com

CALENDAR

January 10

BND Board Meeting

January 17

General Election First Filing Date

January 24

BND Board Meeting

February 7

BND Board Meeting

February 14

Valentine’s Day

Ash Wednesday

February 16

General Election Filing Deadline

February 19

Presidents Day- Port offices closed

February 21

BND Board Meeting

USS JFK Arrival Delayed

Editor's Note: This article is originally featured at www.myrgv.com

The former USS John F. Kennedy is late in getting to Brownsville for recycling than earlier anticipated.

Back in late October, Robert Berry, vice president of International Shipbreaking Ltd./EMR Brownsville, estimated that there was a 70-80% chance that the retired aircraft carrier would arrive here by mid-December, while conceding that delays were possible since complications can arise. The Navy awarded the contract to ISL in 2021 to dismantle the ship, the last conventionally powered carrier in the Navy’s fleet.

Berry said the Navy is taking a harder line on security with the JFK than he’s ever experienced in all his years of dealing with that branch of the military, and that this particular ship has more security surrounding it than the other carriers ISL has received in the past.

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