The Port of Brownsville is a major center for intermodal transportation and industrial development and is the only deepwater seaport directly on the U.S./Mexico border. Opened in 1936, at the southernmost tip of Texas and connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a 17-mile-long ship channel, the Port of Brownsville is also the largest land-owning public port authority in the nation with approximately 40,000 acres. The port offers a direct route to non-congested international bridge crossings and rail connections.

As a bulk and break bulk commodity port, the Port of Brownsville has developed a versatile marine terminal operation for both liquid and dry cargoes. Petroleum products, diesel, heavy naphtha, steel bulk materials, ores, scrap, sand, windmill components, and limestone are some of the many commodities handled here.

The Port of Brownsville is recognized worldwide as the premier U.S. port for ship recycling and is home to the largest U.S. fabricator of offshore drilling platforms. Other services found at the port include bulk terminaling for liquids, break bulk heavy lift in project cargo, steel fabrication, storage, crane services, towing and tug services among others.

The Port of Brownsville offers multiple modes of transportation, including ocean-going vessels, all major U.S. and Mexican truck lines, rail service, barge service via the U.S. Intracoastal and Inland Waterway System, pipeline access to U.S. and Mexican terminals, and air freight service at the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport.

The port is part of the M-10 and M-69 Marine Highway corridors. This provides shippers economical options of transporting cargo with service routes from the Port of Brownsville along designated marine highways, and the U.S. Intracoastal Waterway.

The Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) provides efficient and reliable rail service to all businesses at the Port of Brownsville. The BRG offers direct interchange with UP, BNSF and the KCSM. KCSM serves as UP’s intermediate switch to and from Mexico.

The Port of Brownsville is undergoing an exciting transformation. Below are some of the key projects and initiatives that are taking place.

$18bn Rio Grande LNG facility – NextDecade

Texas-based energy company NextDecade Corporation on July 12 announced that it has made a positive final investment decision (FID) for Phase 1 of its proposed Rio Grande liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which consists of the construction of the first three liquefication trains, to be built at the Port of Brownsville. The Rio Grande LNG terminal at the port will consist of five compressor units once completed, with each designed to process 5.4 million metric tons of LNG per year, making the 984-acre facility among the largest LNG exporters in the world. It is largest single greenfield energy project funding deal in U.S. history.

The project will provide substantial economic advantages for the region, state, and nation. Construction of the facility alone will generate more than 5,000 jobs in the region. Bechtel is the EPC contractor chosen.

The Rio Grande LNG terminal project’s total cost for the first phase is $18.4 billion.

Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project

The Brownsville Ship Channel has a current design depth of 42 feet. The Turning Basin has a current design depth of 36 feet and a width of 1,200 feet. The Port of Brownsville has received full congressional authorization to deepen its channel to 52 feet and phase 1 of the project is set to commence later this year.

Land available for development

The port owns approximately 40,000 acres (16,187 hectares) of land available for development. Developed and undeveloped sites are available in the port’s Turning Basin for cargo facilities, industrial sites, expansion, relocation, manufacturing, greenfield projects, and more.

Its most recent economic development project is a 118-acre shovel-ready business park currently under construction with available funds. This new industrial project leverages the port’s logistical advantages to support manufacturing companies and industry clusters with a base of operations that combines access to efficient multimodal transportation and robust storage capabilities. This development will provide a dynamic ecosystem for companies to collaborate, innovate, and flourish.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for leading the development and successful execution of the Port’s long-term strategy. The ideal candidate will have a business mindset and a keen connection to the political collaboration of the Port’s various growth projects.  The goal will be to drive the Port’s development and guide it towards long-term success as it undergoes a transformation with the various projects in development.

The Chief Executive Officer performs duties related to achieving the Port’s core business goals; directs through subordinates the planning, scheduling and coordination of the Port’s activities; develops policies, procedures and priorities to meet established goals.

If selected, s/he will be responsible for enhancing the Port’s reputation for first-class customer service and operations with tenants, political partnerships and the public.  S/he will be charged with delivering results for both ongoing operations and capital projects. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate an approach to leadership that engages and mobilizes all parts of the organization and the community-at-large with the following specific responsibilities:

• Leads the development and implementation of both long- and short-term strategic plans; provide clear direction to the organization, integrating and coordinating all departments, to assure that the Port achieves its vision and mission.
• Oversees the development and implementation of strategic, fiscal and capital improvement plans.
• Assesses regional, industry, community and customer and maritime service needs and establishes objectives and priorities that are focused on meeting those needs in a safe, secure, effective and efficient manner through delivery of high-quality facilities and services that exceed customers’ expectations.
• Oversees operating budgets, balancing short- and long-term needs with available financial resources; develops funding strategies, including new and innovative streams through business development, exploration of public private partnerships, or alternative sources to enable the continued development of the Port and to enhance its financial position.
• Champions projects and initiatives that reflect the priorities and values of the Brownsville community by developing strong civic partnerships with trade bureaus, government agencies, economic development enterprises, chambers of commerce, and the business community with an eye towards enhancing regional economic development.
• Plans, integrates and evaluates the work of all the Port’s departments in a manner that anticipates and resolves ongoing business and operational issues and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing port use and security.        
• Participate in industry and professional organizations on behalf of the Port to stay abreast of maritime industry trends and issues.
• Represents the Port’s interests before local, state and federal agencies.
• Represents the Port before community groups, service organizations and civic committees to promote the development and use of its facilities.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have significant business/maritime/port experience in a senior leadership role. The candidate will have a demonstrated track record of delivering results in an asset-intensive business with multiple revenue streams. The individual will have exceptional relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively in, and actively manage a heavily regulated environment. S/he will have the ability to develop solid internal and external relationships and will be an excellent communicator across commercial, and political spectrums with strong presentation skills.

The Port of Brownsville will seriously consider candidates from both port and relevant non-port industry contexts that have a focus on economic development and planning.

S/he should bring most, if not all, of the following:

• Experience in large-scale initiatives, including facilities development and capital program management, involving significant dollar amounts and implications.
• Strategic market perspective that recognizes and assesses both internal and external factors that drive organizational performance, affect change and result in customer satisfaction.
• Thorough knowledge of the funding process in a municipal environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning and management.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of supervision, organization and administration.
• Considerable knowledge of marine or related terminal facilities, industrial relations and trade promotions.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and compatible land-use related to seaport development and operations.
• Experience as a general manager with overall cross-functional responsibility for the development and management of an enterprise or complex organization.
• Demonstrated record of establishing and maintaining solid, respectful and trusting relationships with boards of directors, government officials, employees, and/or key stakeholder groups.
• Experience in a highly-visible position dealing with the media on a regular basis and representing his or her organization to a wide variety of audiences, including the community-at-large.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Knowledge of principles and practices in organizational development and employee engagement.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of port industry best practices, standards and regulations would be highly desirable.
• An ideal candidate will be proficient/fluent in the Spanish language.
• Willingness to relocate to Brownsville, Texas

About Port of Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville is a major center for intermodal transportation and industrial development and is the only deepwater seaport directly on the U.S./Mexico border. Opened in 1936, at the southernmost tip of Texas and connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a 17-mile-long ship channel, the Port of Brownsville is also the largest land-owning public port authority in the nation with approximately 40,000 acres. The port offers a direct route to non-congested international bridge crossings and rail connections. As a bulk and break bulk commodity port, the Port of Brownsville has developed a versatile marine terminal operation for both liquid and dry cargoes. Petroleum products, diesel, heavy naphtha, steel bulk materials, ores, scrap, sand, windmill components, and limestone are some of the many commodities handled here. The Port of Brownsville is recognized worldwide as the premier U.S. port for ship recycling and is home to the largest U.S. fabricator of offshore drilling platforms. Other services found at the port include bulk terminaling for liquids, break bulk heavy lift in project cargo, steel fabrication, storage, crane services, towing and tug services among others. The P...ort of Brownsville offers multiple modes of transportation, including ocean-going vessels, all major U.S. and Mexican truck lines, rail service, barge service via the U.S. Intracoastal and Inland Waterway System, pipeline access to U.S. and Mexican terminals, and air freight service at the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. The port is part of the M-10 and M-69 Marine Highway corridors. This provides shippers economical options of transporting cargo with service routes from the Port of Brownsville along designated marine highways, and the U.S. Intracoastal Waterway. The Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) provides efficient and reliable rail service to all businesses at the Port of Brownsville. The BRG offers direct interchange with UP, BNSF and the KCSM. KCSM serves as UP’s intermediate switch to and from Mexico.

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Connections working at Port of Brownsville