Transportation 2025: DAVID WHITE

A William & Mary alum, White has been at the helm of the Virginia Maritime Association since 2018. He began working with the advocacy organization in 2003, representing the interests of the state’s maritime, logistics and transportation companies.

The VMA has a membership of over 450 companies and has promoted and encouraged domestic and international trade through Virginia’s ports since 1920.

In January, the association announced its new Supply Chain Technology & Innovation Committee to help shape industry standards, influence policy and drive investments into technology that benefit the state’s maritime and supply chain industries. Also this year, the association launched a fifth regional chapter in Northern Virginia.

In the spring, White told Virginia Business that a White House proposal to charge for every Chinese-built vessel that calls at a U.S. port could mean ocean carriers would reduce the number of calls and number of ports they call on and could make the Port of Virginia less attractive. In April, the White House instituted a fee to be charged once per voyage rather than per port.

White serves as secretary and treasurer for the National Association of Maritime Organizations.

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