Alabama Port Authority director and CEO, John Driscoll, announced his retirement during the Authority’s board of directors meeting on Aug. 26.
Driscoll has led the port since 2020 and will be succeeded on an interim basis by Doug Otto, the Port’s chief engineering officer. Otto will oversee operations while the board conducts a global search for a permanent director, APA said.
Board chairman Zeke Smith credited Driscoll with advancing several major projects during his tenure. Those included the deepening and widening of the Port of Mobile’s ship channel, investments at the McDuffie Coal Terminal and the APM container terminal, and breaking ground on the Montgomery Intermodal Container Facility.
“As director, John has implemented major capital projects that will position the port for future growth,” Smith said. “We thank him for his service to the state of Alabama and wish him well in retirement.”
Driscoll, a Maryland native with prior leadership experience in California and overseas, said his time at the port was defined by teamwork and progress. “The Alabama Port Authority is truly a world-class operation,” he said. “I am proud of our achievements that we have made as a team. Those accomplishments have positioned the port to provide excellent service for our customers for generations to come. While I’ll miss the port and the people associated with it, it is time for me to focus on my wife, children, and extended family.”
Otto will assume the role of interim director immediately to maintain momentum on ongoing projects and commercial development while the board evaluates candidates for the permanent position.
