How do you manage multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects to move cargo from massive ships, trains and trucks? And what does it take to keep it all operating in harmony day in, day out?

Those were some of the questions answered by Georgia Ports leadership as the logistics leaders of tomorrow from Georgia Southern University got an inside look at port operations.

The Port of Savannah welcomed over 30 students from GSU’s Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, who met with top Georgia Ports Authority executives.

The group visited Garden City Terminal, the largest container port in the western hemisphere, and Mason Mega Rail, the largest on-terminal intermodal facility in North America.

Students later participated in a panel discussion with Georgia Ports executives to ask how they make it all work seamlessly.

“Visits like these help our Logistics and Supply Chain Management students deepen their understanding of career paths in the industry and get real-world insights into how it all works,” shared Dr. Scott Ellis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Logistics and Supply Chain.

The group met with Georgia Ports executives: Chris Novack, Vice President of Engineering & Facilities Maintenance, who discussed infrastructure projects; Pat Rogero, Controller, Department of Finance, who shared how the port reinvests its own profits into projects and uses no tax dollars; Stephen Crawford, Senior Director of Container Operations, who shared the systems and processes that make the port operate; and David Porter, Regional Sales Manager and GSU graduate, who discussed how the port attracts global customers to Savannah.

Novack discussed building port capacity for future growth and added “when Georgia Ports hires, it looks for good thinkers who will help bring the port to the next level.”

Georgia Ports Director of Workforce Development & Training, Tanya Chisholm, spoke about the port’s Summer Internship Program which continues to accept applications for the summer program.

For students interested in participating in the Georgia Ports Internship Program, visit www.gaports.com/jobs and search “College Intern.”
Source: Georgia Ports Authority