AGLPA 2026 Annual Conference
July 30–31, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Loews Chicago Hotel
Agenda at a Glance
Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Registration: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Welcome Lunch/Networking: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Sessions: 1:00 pm – 5:15 pm
- Dinner Cruise: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday, July 31, 2026
- Breakfast: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
- Morning Sessions: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Lunch: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Afternoon Sessions: 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm
2026 AGENDA COMING SOON!
Join Us for the Premier Great Lakes Maritime Event.
The American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) Annual Summer Conference is the largest U.S.-based maritime event on the Great Lakes, bringing together the leaders shaping the region’s future.
This year, we return to the Loews Chicago Hotel, where 250+ maritime executives, policymakers, and industry stakeholders will convene for two days of insight, strategy, and high-impact networking.
Hear from port leaders, government officials, and industry experts on the most pressing and promising developments shaping the future of Great Lakes maritime commerce, and be part of the conversations driving our region forward.
Registration includes two days of conference activities, including speaker sessions, event meals, and our private dinner cruise.
- AGLPA Port & Associate Members: $695
- Non-Members: $1,000
- U.S. Federal Government: $500
Become an Associate Member of AGLPA and unlock exclusive benefits—including discounted conference registration for your entire team.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Position your organization at the center of the Great Lakes maritime community.
As the only organization dedicated exclusively to U.S. Great Lakes public ports, AGLPA 2026 offers sponsors unmatched visibility, access, and engagement with decision-makers from across the region.
AGLPA 2026 Event Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Reception Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Available
Associate Sponsor
2026 Speakers & Featured Guests
Expect engaging sessions, timely topics, and valuable insights from an outstanding lineup of speakers.
Check back for additional speakers and this year’s agenda!
Kevin Artl
American Council of Engineering Companies - Illinois
Bio
Kevin Artl is President and CEO of ACEC Illinois, where he leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the state’s engineering community and advances legislative and regulatory initiatives to strengthen the industry’s business environment.
Demetrios (Jim) Athanasiou
President & CEO, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Bio
Jim Athanasiou was named President and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) in July 2024 after serving in several senior executive roles. He is focused on growth and ensuring the Seaway's long-term viability for its many partners and stakeholders.
Kevin Beardsley
Executive Director, Duluth Seaway Port Authority
Bio
Kevin Beardsley is Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, bringing more than 25 years of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and public-sector operations. His leadership has helped drive record cargo volumes across the Port. He also serves as Treasurer of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).
Travis Black
Director, Inland Waterways Gateway, Acting-Director, Great Lakes Gateway, MARAD/USDOT
Bio
Travis Black serves as Director of the Inland Waterways Gateway and Acting Director of the Great Lakes Gateway, where he works with ports and partners across a 14-state region to improve waterway efficiency, strengthen freight movement, and advance sustainable transportation.
Capt. Tony Brandano
President, Lakes Pilots Association
Bio
Capt. Brandano is President of the Lakes Pilots Association, leading one of North America's most unique pilotage organizations. Under his leadership, the association helps safely guide vessels carrying an estimated 15 million tons of cargo annually through Lake Erie and the Detroit–St. Clair River system.
Joe Cappel
Vice President of Business Development, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Bio
Joe Cappel is VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, where he helps drive business growth and strategic development. His work spans transportation planning, terminal development, government relations, and environmental initiatives. He also serves as Treasurer of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).
Capt. Stephen M. Carmel
Administrator, Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Bio
As Administrator of MARAD, Capt. Stephen M. Carmel oversees national maritime policy, port development, and workforce initiatives. Drawing on decades of leadership in commercial shipping and maritime operations, he brings extensive industry expertise to advancing America's maritime future.
Lieutenant Colonel David K. Dawes
Chicago, District Commander & District Engineer – USACE
Bio
Lieutenant Colonel Dawes comes to the Chicago District from the Army Operations Center at the Pentagon, following service with U.S. Army Special Operations Command. His numerous honors include the Bronze Star Medal and the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal.
Brian Dooley
European Trade Representative, Ports of Indiana
Bio
Brian Dooley leads Ports of Indiana's European Trade Office in Ireland, supporting international cargo growth and a new direct Europe-Indiana container service. He has nearly 30 years of experience advancing maritime, logistics, and business development initiatives.
Thomas Drumm
CEO & Executive Director, Port of Oswego
Bio
Tom Drumm is Executive Director and CEO of the Port of Oswego Authority. Appointed as the youngest person to lead a major U.S. port, he previously served in the New York Attorney General's Office and the Oswego County Legislature.
Mary Beth Eddy
Senior Consultant, US – CPCS Transcom Inc.
Bio
Mary Beth Eddy is a data analytics specialist at CPCS focused on evaluating freight performance across transportation modes and regions. Her work applies big data to improve freight planning while advancing sustainability and resiliency.
Jeff Epstein
President & CEO, Port of Cleveland
Bio
As President & CEO of the Port of Cleveland, Jeff Epstein brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development, public-private partnerships, and urban investment. Previously Cleveland’s Chief of Integrated Development, he led financing and redevelopment initiatives supporting more than $3 billion in regional investment.
Emily Finnell
Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist, Michigan EGLE
Bio
As Great Lakes senior advisor and strategist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Emily Finnell provides strategic direction on policy and program development to protect, restore, and sustain the Great Lakes.
Anthony Fisher
Chief of Staff, Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Bio
Tony Fisher joined MARAD from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, where he served as Deputy Administrator. There, he helped oversee the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway while advancing trade and economic growth across the Great Lakes.
Rachel Gorman
CEO, Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Port of Muskegon
Bio
Rachel Gorman is Chief Operating Officer of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, where she oversees operations and brings together business, government, and education to support economic growth, community partnerships, and waterfront development.
Eric Griffin
VP, Global Energy Sales - Inmarsat, a Viasat Company
Bio
Eric Griffin is a senior commercial executive with 20+ years of experience across global maritime, energy, and technology markets. He has a proven track record of scaling sales organizations, launching new services, and growing global market share.
David S. Gutheil
Chief Operating Officer, Port of Cleveland
Bio
David Gutheil is Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Cleveland and a board member of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA). With more than 30 years of experience in transportation, logistics, and maritime commerce, he has led strategic growth, business development, and port operations initiatives throughout his career.
Dean Haen
Port Director, Port of Green Bay
Bio
Dean Haen is Director of the Port and Solid Waste for Brown County, leading business development, infrastructure planning, and strategic growth for the Port of Green Bay while overseeing a broad range of operational and economic development initiatives.
Peter Hirthe
Director, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Bio
As Director of the Office of Trade and Economic Development at GLS, Peter Hirthe brings deep expertise in the Great Lakes bi-national maritime system. He’s a trusted resource for shippers, known for promoting port capabilities, multimodal access, and the value of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Jennifer L. Homendy
Chairwoman, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Bio
The Honorable Jennifer L. Homendy, is Chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where she leads efforts to advance transportation safety across all modes. A recognized voice in U.S. and global policy, she is a strong advocate for maritime safety and infrastructure resilience.
Jason Janisch
Climate & Energy Policy Advisor, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Bio
As Climate & Energy Policy Advisor for IRRR, Janisch works at the intersection of industrial transformation, energy transition, and regional economic strategy, helping translate decarbonization, steel technology, and trade trends into regional planning and investment strategies.
Patrick Kelly
Chief Executive Officer, Fraser Industries, LLC
Bio
Patrick Kelly is CEO of Fraser Industries LLC, parent company of Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI, a full-service facility supporting the Great Lakes fleet. Kelly brings decades of global leadership experience in industrial and transportation sectors, including executive roles at BP and Amoco.
Kelcie Kraft
Analyst, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)
Bio
Kelcie Kraft is an energy analyst at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, where her work spans biofuels, waste-to-energy, and maritime innovation. Her analysis explores the production potential and deployment considerations for alternative fuels in the Great Lakes basin and associated ports.
Capt. Paul C. LaMarre, III
Director, Port of Monroe
Bio
Capt. LaMarre is Director of the Port of Monroe and President of the AGLPA. A third-generation Great Lakes mariner and licensed tug captain, he is widely recognized for his leadership in maritime advocacy and for revitalizing the Port of Monroe into a national model for seaport redevelopment.
Randy Lane
Freight & Maritime Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation
Bio
As the Freight and Maritime Manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Randy leads statewide freight planning and maritime coordination. He previously served as Administrator of ODOT’s Office of Local Programs and Director of Programming at NOACA, the Cleveland MPO.
CAPT Rhianna Macon
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan
Bio
Capt. Macon assumed command of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in 2025. She leads 23 Coast Guard units and more than 1,700 personnel, overseeing Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Aids to Navigation, Marine Safety, and Homeland Security for Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Tiffany McClelland
Executive Director, Lorain Port and Finance Authority
Bio
Tiffany McClelland is the Executive Director of the Lorain Port and Finance Authority and serves on the board of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).
J.M. (Mike) McCoshen
Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Bio
As GLS Administrator, Mr. McCoshen oversees the U.S. portion of the Seaway and leads efforts to strengthen maritime trade and economic development across the region. He has over 45 years of experience in maritime transportation and waterfront operations and has helped move more than 200 million tons of cargo through the Seaway System over his career.
Brian McCoy
Marine Transportation Program Planning Specialist, IDOT
Bio
Brian McCoy is a Marine Transportation Program Planning Specialist with the Illinois Department of Transportation, where he supports statewide marine transportation planning and policy initiatives that strengthen Illinois' multimodal freight system.
Thomas McKenney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Engineering Practice, University of Michigan
Bio
McKenney is an Associate Professor at U of M, leading research in ship design, maritime systems, and advanced technologies. Previously, he was Head of Ship Design at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and held senior roles at Royal Caribbean Group. He holds four degrees, including a Ph.D. focused on early-stage ship design methods.
Kristine Meyer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District
Bio
Kristine Meyer is Chief of the Lake Michigan Project Office for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Chicago District. She leads a team of specialists and staff responsible for operating and maintaining harbors, confined disposal facilities and dams throughout the Great Lakes region.
Amanda Minks
Project Manager, The Foth Companies
Bio
Minks has over 15 years of experience leading environmental permitting, compliance, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. She has managed complex projects involving waterways, wetlands, habitat restoration, and regulatory policy, working closely with agencies including USACE, EPA, USFWS, and NOAA.
Eric Oberhart
Transportation Program Director, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers
Bio
Eric Oberhart is the Maritime Program Director at GSGP. He leads initiatives advancing sustainable shipping, infrastructure development, and economic growth throughout the region to strengthen the competitiveness of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.
Jody Peacock
Chief Executive Officer, Ports of Indiana
Bio
Jody Peacock is CEO of the Ports of Indiana, a self-funded statewide port authority supporting over $7.8 billion in annual economic activity. He leads efforts to grow Indiana’s economy by expanding multimodal freight connections across the state’s three ports.
Sydney Plante
Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement, MARAD
Bio
Sydney Plante serves as Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement at MARAD. A member of the agency's executive leadership team, she leads strategic outreach, stakeholder partnerships, and policy initiatives to strengthen the U.S. maritime industry.
Mark Schrupp
Executive Director, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Bio
Mark Schrupp is the Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority and serves on the board of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).
David Swiatek
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
Bio
David Swiatek is Chief of the Technical Services Branch for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District, supporting navigation, harbor maintenance, flood risk management, and critical infrastructure operations throughout the Great Lakes region.
Benjamin (Benji) Timm
Port Director, Port Milwaukee
Bio
As Director of Port Milwaukee, Benjamin (Benji) Timm leverages more than 25 years of experience in economic development, industrial redevelopment, and business attraction. His work with the City of Milwaukee has shaped a deep understanding of the Port’s role in supporting regional commerce and growth.
Adam Tindall-Schlicht
Sector Lead, Ports, Transportation & Infrastructure, Ramboll
Bio
Adam Tindall-Schlicht is Americas Sector Lead for Ramboll, where he supports sustainable port, infrastructure and transportation across North America. He previously served as Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation and as Director of Port Milwaukee.
Erik Varela
Executive Director, Illinois International Port District (IIPD)
Bio
As Executive Director of the IIPD-Port of Chicago, Varela leads one of the nation’s key multimodal transportation hubs. A former senior public affairs executive, he brings extensive experience in transportation, government affairs, economic development, and public policy. He is also Vice President of the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).
James H.I. Weakley
President, Lake Carriers’ Association
Bio
As President of the Lake Carriers’ Association, Jim Weakley serves as a spokesman for the industry and frequently testifies before Congress on Great Lakes and shipping issues. He represents Ohio on the Great Lakes Commission and sits on the board of directors for America’s Maritime Partnership.
Thomas Winston
President & CEO, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Bio
Thomas J. Winston is President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, leading its strategic direction and overseeing multimodal operations, economic development financing, brownfield redevelopment, and airport and seaport development.
Erika Witzke, PE
National Director, Freight Planning and Policy, US – CPCS Transcom Inc.
Bio
Erika Witzke is National Director for freight planning and policy projects across the U.S. for CPCS. A Professional Engineer with nearly 30 years of experience, she specializes in freight systems, supply chains, and the data that drives transportation investment decisions.
Shuake Wuzhati
Senior Consultant, US – CPCS Transcom Inc.
Bio
At CPCS, Shuake Wuzhati combines expertise in engineering, economics, and transportation planning to solve infrastructure challenges. She previously led an award-winning regional freight plan and specializes in data analytics, modeling, and benefit-cost analysis.
Nick Zager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
Bio
Nick Zager is Chief of Operations for USACE–Detroit District and Great Lakes Navigation Team Lead. He oversees dredging, maintenance, operations, regulatory and emergency efforts in MI, WI, and MN and is the primary USACE contact for Great Lakes navigation budgeting and stakeholder engagement.
Additional Speakers Coming Soon!
Bio
Check back for speaker updates and our finalized agenda!