The New Bedford Port Authority, which oversees the harbor activities in the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.A. – which boasts the highest value of landings of any fishing port in the United States – has selected Gordon Carr to serve as its new executive director.
Carr takes over as executive director after serving as the deputy director of real estate strategy and policy at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). He has more than 25 years of experience in public policy, economic development, and enterprise strategy in both the public and private sectors, according to a release from the City of New Bedford.
“Gordon’s extensive experience in maritime and economic development issues make him an ideal fit for this position,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “Gordon’s deep familiarity with New Bedford will enable him to help continue the Port’s momentum right from the start.”
Carr is also familiar with the city of New Bedford – in 2014 and 2015, he conducted an assessment of the New Bedford Economic Development Council and the city’s Harbor Development Commission as an independent consultant.
In his role at Massport, Carr “served as the primary lead on a range of topics advocating for the working port, maritime industrial/seafood interests, and freight networks, including leading an in-depth study and analysis of the future of the seafood cluster in Boston,” the port authority said.
According to the city, Carr is joining at a “transformative period” for the port, which undergoing “extensive modernization” to be able to compete for investment in the fishing, processing, and offshore wind energy sectors. New Bedford remained top fishing port by value in 2021, with the 115.4 million pounds of seafood landed there worth USD 376.6 million (EUR 376.2 million). Overall, the port generates USD 11 billion (EUR 10.98 billion) in economic activity that supports more than 6,700 jobs, according to the New Bedford Port Authority.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to join the exceptional team at the NBPA and apply the personal and professional experiences I have accumulated to help continue to diversify the Port of New Bedford’s commercial base, drive economic growth, and preserve and expand the port’s core industries,” Carr said.
Photo courtesy of the New Bedford Port Authority
