Page 41 - Port of Baltimore Magazine Jan/Feb 2013
Basic HTML Version
January/February 2013
■
The Port of Baltimore
[
39
]
Donald C. Fry
Fry is President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the central
Maryland region’s most prominent organization of business and civic leaders. Among
its many initiatives, the GBC has been particularly supportive of the region’s growth
in the emerging bioscience industry, and also continually strives to “bridge the gap”
between large companies and minority-owned companies to create an even more
unified business community. Fry formerly served in the Maryland General Assembly
as a state senator, chairing the Transit Advisory Panel, and represented the House of
Delegates on the Governor’s Commission on Management and Productivity. He has
served on many boards, including those for Harford Mutual Insurance Companies,
Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake and The Pride of Baltimore, Inc.
Most rewarding aspect of being on
the Commission:
The tremendous
opportunity to be involved with one of
the state’s most significant economic
engines. The historical impact that the
maritime industry has had on Baltimore
and our state is too often overlooked,
but the number of direct and indirect
jobs that are associated with the Port is
impressive.
Rev. Donte L. Hickman, Sr.
Upon becoming Pastor of Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore in 2002, Hickman
helped develop a vision and mission statement for the church, led renovation efforts,
initiated a TV and radio broadcast ministry, and further emphasized outreach. In
2004, he commissioned task forces to determine the demographic needs of East
Baltimore and create a multi-generational strategy of community revitalization.
Under the banner “Restoring People and Rebuilding Properties,” he led a campaign
of property acquisition to build a 60-unit senior housing facility and health center.
Hickman was appointed by then-Mayor Martin O’Malley to serve as a Housing
Authority Board Commissioner, and is the newest member of the Port Commission,
having joined in 2012.
Most rewarding aspect of being on the
Commission:
The opportunity to meet
and engage a diverse group of business
and industry leaders to positively impact
our state with year-over-year trends
of success and growth, establishing
workforce development initiatives and
bolstering the economy.
Greatest accomplishment with the
Commission:
Without a doubt, the
public/private partnership agreement
with Ports America for the 50-foot berth
at Seagirt Marine Terminal. Government
is often criticized for not having a long-
range vision. The widening of the Panama
Canal presented an opportunity that was
recognized by the Port’s leadership, and
securing an innovative funding approach
was an extraordinary success.
Greatest accomplishment with the
Commission:
That the Port has seen its
one-millionth passenger in its cruise line
terminals since 1996. The total economic
value to the State of cruising from the
Port of Baltimore is about $90 million.
Primary goal moving forward:
To effectively communicate the success
and economic impact of the Port as
well as the challenges that lie ahead to
remain successful and competitive. It is
essential that elected decision makers
commit to the infrastructure
investment that is needed to maintain
the Port’s competitive edge.
Primary goal moving forward:
To expand my knowledge base of the
Port’s operations and to continue to
assist in cultivating the competitive
advantage toward making our Port a
number-one destination and trade route.
