Hampton Roads Shipping Association taps new president

The Hampton Roads Shipping Association has named Jeremy Bridges its new president, effective May 1.

Bridges will succeed Roger Giesinger, who has led the nonprofit, Norfolk-based trade association for the past 28 years. Giesinger, who announced his retirement last year, will stay on as president emeritus for a brief transition period.

Bridges comes to HRSA from CMA-CGM America, where he served as vice president of labor relations. Before that, he worked for the Pacific Maritime Association, where he was area managing director for Southern California.

“We are grateful to Roger for his 28 years leading negotiations and labor relations with the International Longshoremen’s Association, and his many contributions which have improved the modernization, productivity, safety and overall competitiveness of our port.” HRSA board Chairman Jim Michalski said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Jeremy. Our industry and our workforce are changing, and we are confident he is the best choice for the future of the labor relations in our port. Jeremy possesses the right experience, skills and characteristics to strategically and effectively work with our ILA partners to make the Port of Virginia the most productive and safest place to work the ships and cargo of our port customers.”

Bridges earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from James Madison University and holds certifications in labor negotiation, arbitration, information technology and project management from the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE).