Vice President in Charge of Programs – Barbara Lipskis introduced the Rotarian of the Day - Linwood Beckner who is a Norfolk native, he joined the Club in 1986 and served as Club President in 1996.

Linwood introduced Andrew, he is the Director of Federal Government Affairs at The Port of Virginia. He is back to give us an update on The Port. Andrew joined The Port in August 2014. Prior to joining, Andrew worked for Organization Management Group, the Hampton Roads Partnership, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads, Inc. 

Andrew earned his bachelor's degree from Hampden-Sydney College and has been part of several leadership programs including Leadership Chesapeake (2005), LEAD Hampton Roads (2007), Leadership Institute of the Virginia Peninsula (2009), and Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership (2015). In 2008, Andrew was included in Inside Business' Top Forty Under 40. An Eagle Scout, Andrew remains engaged with the Boy Scouts and is an active member of Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk. He serves on the Boards of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the North Atlantic Ports Association, and the National Waterways Conference. Andrew, his wife, Lauren, and their two children lice in Chesapeake.

Andrew gave an update on the State of The Port. His presentation can be found on The Port’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/3hBpwBv_zVo. His presentation included a review the Cy22 performance - How the market is doing now, Changes in the works, and Acceleration. 

First, 2022 was a record year with a 5% growth. This growth rate is especially incredible because they grew at this rate without congestion. Virginia is neck and neck with The Port of Houston. Looking back the results show a 32% growth over 2020. It’s The Ports goal to continue to capture market share and want to maintain growth moving forward. What does growth mean to community? Adding jobs to region, resulting in faster economic growth to region. 

In a recent study by William & Mary University the Port and related industries have created 12% of new jobs equaling half-a-million jobs and $41.4 billion in incomes. Andrew discussed the recent changes The Ports has seen, in 2023, they are seeing volumes dropping. This is the result of more people are traveling and going on outings versus staying home causing a drop in volume of imports. He gave an update on projects The Port is currently working on including an increases in inland facilities as reflected in barge and rail numbers and to accommodate the Vessel growth of larger ships with 16k TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units). 

He shared import cargo growth is expected from Indian continent and also North Europe. The Port is getting the market share of movement on containers from West to East coast. Andrew said business that work with The Port are looking for the market to digitalize tracking capabilities, to increase decarburization. The port plans on being zero in net carbon emissions by 2040, having 100% of purchased energy be from clean energy and carbon neutrals. 

• The on-going, 20 year plan, to build an underpass at the North end of facility which will lessen the traffic woes for some.
• The Navy isn’t supporting the expansion of the dredging, but Feds are supporting with funds from the US Army Corp of Civil Project.  
• China is very aggressively investing in the Port industry. They are keeping an eye on their progress.
• Exports are on the rise with a lot of growth in past years coming mostly from agriculture projects.
• The Port of Virginia ranking in comparison to NY/NJ and Savanna, Virginia – Hampton Roads is #3. Baltimore is not really a competitor.

Linda thanked Andrew for his presentation. She told him we will be making a donation to PolioPlus in his honor.

Here is the link to the city's news release about text alerts for trains on Hampton Boulevard.  Instructions to subscribe are included.  Please feel free to distribute to the club and all those who may be interested.
https://www.norfolk.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5614&ARC=10867#:~:text=Don't%20sit%20in%20traffic,text%20NFKTrain%20to%20888%2D777.

Club Business

Sigur Whitaker led the music.

• Welcome new member Kim Hammer who received her Blue badge
• Passing of Jean Owen, her obituary was read

• Fines for mentions - Angela, Martha, Stephen - power bowl
• Happy bucks Jeff- national convention
• Happy bucks - Norfolk medical team saved 8 year old