Transportation 2023: STEPHEN A. EDWARDS

With oversight of the entire Port of Virginia system, Edwards is responsible for its marine terminal facilities in Hampton Roads as well as the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal.

Formerly CEO of TraPac, Global Container Terminals and Ports America, Edwards joined the port authority during the pandemic in January 2021, a challenging time for the maritime industry, which experienced widespread labor shortages and supply chain snarls amid a worldwide increase in demand for consumer products from overseas. However, the Port of Virginia fared well, processing record amounts of cargo.

In 2022, the port processed more than 3.7 million 20-foot-equivalent units at its terminals, and cargo tonnage was up 11% from 2021. For fiscal 2022, the port generated $124.1 billion in output sales, $41.4 billion in Virginia labor income and $5.8 billion in state and local taxes and fees.

This year, Edwards says the port will invest $1.4 billion to expand overall capacity and cargo handling capabilities. The General Assembly is also studying the possibility of adding a Southwest Virginia inland port.

A graduate of England’s Aston University, Edwards also serves on the Virginia Economic Development Partnership board.