Port Nelson announces new CEO

Port Nelson has today announced its new CEO, Matthew McDonald.

Matt is currently Port Nelson’s General Manager Operations and will assume his new role on November, 15.

He has more than 20 years of industry experience, including civil engineering roles with Meridian Energy and Jacobs Engineering and has been with Port Nelson for 16 years.

He initially joined the team as Infrastructure Manager and oversaw a significant change in the layout of the port with the demolition of earthquake-risk buildings and the construction of the Patterson Logistics Centre.

After eight years, Matt moved into his current role as General Manager Operations. During this time, the Port delivered its highest cargo through-put and then had to traverse the challenging operating environment of COVID-19 and the subsequent recovery period.

“Matt’s appointment is a testament to his strong experience, capabilities, and character, all of which stood out during the recruitment process,” says Paul Zealand, Port Nelson’s board chair.

“We were particularly impressed by his industry knowledge, his passion for the port's people and culture, and his desire to further enhance the port’s performance and capabilities. The board is excited about the future of Port Nelson and the quality of our team. We look forward to maintaining the high level of service and engagement for which the port is known.”

Matt expressed his enthusiasm for the new role. “I am delighted to be leading the Port in this next chapter, and I look forward to working closely with all of our stakeholders.”