Departing Port of Virginia CEO to join ferrying company

Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards, who announced in November that he would be stepping down at the end of the year, will be CEO of ferry infrastructure company Hornblower Group at the start of 2026.

The Orlando, Florida-based company announced Tuesday that Edwards will succeed CEO Mike Flaskey.

Edwards has led the Virginia Port Authority, which manages the Port of Virginia, since 2021. During his tenure, the Port of Virginia completed a $1.4 billion capital investment program on time and on budget, including the dredging work to make the port the East Coast’s widest and deepest harbor. Edwards also renegotiated the lease for the Virginia International Gateway container terminal.

The Port of Virginia is one of the state’s economic drivers, accounting for more than 565,000 jobs, more than $124.1 billion in total spending and $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

Before leading the authority, Edwards was CEO of TraPac, Global Container Terminals and Ports America.

“Hornblower Group is known for partnering with local and national authorities to provide water transportation services to North America’s leading public attractions and commuter routes,” Edwards said in a statement. “I am eager to begin working with its talented team to build on this legacy, enhance operations, facilitate innovation and deliver extraordinary service to our guests and communities.”

Port spokesperson Joe Harris previously said that Edwards would relocate to New York City for his new job.

“Stephen Edwards is an exceptional leader, known for his commitment to continuous improvement of commercial and operational performance,” Hornblower board member David Greenberg, SVP’s North American head of corporate investments, said in a statement.

Headquartered in Orlando, Hornblower also has offices in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Dublin and Ontario, Canada. It operates in 10 countries and more than 50 U.S. cities, serving 20 million guests annually. The company’s roots date back to the 1920s, and it provides transportation and sightseeing services to many major North American attractions, including Niagara Falls, the Statue of Liberty and Alcatraz. It also offers ferry services across major cities.