2016 State of the Port Address 

The 2016 State of the Port Address, hosted by the Georgia Ports Authority and the Propeller Club of the United States - Port of Savannah, will be held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. GPA's Executive Director Griff Lynch will present the latest developments at the GPA during a networking-lunch reception.

About the Georgia Ports Authority

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About the Savannah Propeller Club

The Propeller Club United States - Port of Savannah includes more than 260 people from more than 120 organizations in the Savannah maritime community.  The membership represents a cross section of the marine, maritime, and associated industries throughout the United States and in many cities overseas. "Propeller" in the name refers to the propulsion of ships, and is symbolic of the driving force of the nation's heavily-maritime-reliant economy.

AGENDA
10:30 a.m	Networking Reception / Registration
11:15 a.m.	Doors Open
11:30 a.m.	Announcement to be seated
11:35 a.m.	Ringing of Propeller Club Bell – be seated
11:45 a.m.	Program Begins Craig Maggioni, Propeller Club President Welcome | Call Propeller Club Meeting to order Chaplain Patrick Williams, United States Coast Guard Invocation | Pledge of Allegiance | Lunch
12:20 p.m.	Craig Maggioni Recognition of Guests | Introduction of State House Speaker
12:25 p.m.	David Ralston, Georgia Speaker of the House Remarks | Introduction of GPA Chairman
12:30 p.m.	James Allgood, GPA Chairman Remarks | Introduction of GPA Executive Director
12:35 p.m.	Griff Lynch, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority State of the Port Address
1:25 p.m.	Craig Maggioni Announcements | Wrap-up

James L. “Jimmy” Allgood
Chairman : Georgia Ports Authority

Allgood is chairman of the Board of Allgood Pest Solutions, a company he started in 1974. He was chairman of the Structural Pest Control Commission for 20 years and is past president of the Georgia Pest Control Association. He has served as chairman of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority, the Dublin Rotary Club, and the First United Methodist Church board. Allgood earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, was a member of the Leadership Georgia Class of 1993, and was president of Leadership Georgia in 1996. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children and three grandchildren. They reside in Dublin.

Griffith V. Lynch
Executive Director : Georgia Ports Authority

Griffith V. Lynch is the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority, an 1,100- person strong state port authority that owns and operates strategic gateways serving the U.S. Southeast. 

As Executive Director, Lynch oversees all port activity involving the deepwater ports of Savannah and Brunswick, as well as inland terminal operations in Bainbridge and Columbus.  Directing one of Georgia’s largest economic engines, he administers a $280 million annual budget.

Before becoming executive director, Lynch served as GPA chief operating officer for five years. As COO of the single largest container terminal in North America and second busiest U.S. auto port, he was responsible for sustaining the profitable growth and development of all operations, and maintaining world-class operating standards. His duties included overseeing ambitious capital improvement and development programs for five deep water ports and two inland terminals while maintaining strong relationships with numerous customers, labor officials and supply chain partners.

A proven leader in the maritime industry, Lynch brings more than 27 years of experience in the design and implementation of major port expansions, the effective execution of sustainable profit and productivity models and identifying winning sales and marketing strategies.

Lynch graduated from the State University of New York at Maritime College in 1988 and immediately began his training as a vessel planner. Over the course of his career, Lynch held executive positions in both sales and operations at terminals in New York and Virginia before joining the GPA in 2011.

Captain Craig Maggioni
President : Propeller Club of Savannah

Captain Craig Maggioni is a native Savannahian and is currently the President of the Propeller Club Port of Savannah. In 2005, he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Upon graduation, Captain Maggioni accepted a commission as a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy and began a seagoing career working as a ship's officer with Military Sealift Command. In 2007, he was hired by the Savannah Pilots Association to begin training to become a river pilot for the Port of Savannah.  Captain Maggioni has been a river pilot since 2009. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Savannah Navy League. He was nominated for Military Sealift Command's Outstanding Sailor Award, has been awarded the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal by the Secretary of Transportation and was 2014's Propeller Club Member of the Year.