Karen Robes Meeks

PMA is pleased to announce that Stephen Hennessey has assumed the role of President and CEO, following Jim McKenna’s retirement after leading PMA for 20 years. We thank Jim for his tremendous contributions to our organization and the West Coast maritime industry. An announcement is below: PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION TAPS STEPHEN HENNESSEY AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (February 13, 2024)—The Pacific Maritime Association’s 11-member Board of Directors unanimously selected longtime Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Hennessey as the new President and CEO of the organization following the retirement of Jim McKenna, who led the organization for the past two decades. Hennessey joined PMA in 2004 after holding management positions in the shipping and trucking industries. He brings to the role a tremendous understanding of the entire supply chain, the nuances of the collective bargaining agreement, and the role of the 29 West Coast ports in supporting trillions of dollars’ worth of trade. The transition of leadership comes at a time of stability and potential growth on the West Coast waterfront, with a new six-year contract in place that positions ports in California, Oregon, and Washington to regain market share and continue driving value for the local and national economies. Chief Financial Officer Michael Wechsler and General Counsel Craig Epperson will continue in their roles on the executive leadership team. “Steve Hennessey is uniquely prepared to build on Jim’s legacy and usher PMA into the next era,” the PMA Board of Directors said in a statement. “We have tremendous confidence in Steve to carry forward PMA’s mission, keep the West Coast ports competitive, and maintain their leadership role in the global economy.” Hennesey started his tenure at PMA as vice president of labor relations in Southern California. He grew into the role of COO, where he has been responsible for providing leadership and direction in the areas of labor relations, strategic plan implementation, contract administration and arbitration, management of industry training and safety programs, and oversight of jointly operated dispatch halls. “I am truly honored to lead PMA, which has the responsibility to keep one of the nation’s most important economic engines strong and vibrant,” Hennessey said. “Our work supports a significant percentage of the nation’s GDP, as well as millions of quality jobs nationwide across a wide range of industries. I want to express my gratitude to the PMA Board for selecting me, and to Jim McKenna for his superb leadership of PMA for the last two decades.” About the Pacific Maritime Association PMA represents the world’s leading shipping lines and terminal operators at West Coast ports, a leading global gateway and powerful engine for the U.S. economy. The principal business of PMA is to negotiate and administer maritime labor agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. PMA’s mission is to provide industry leadership to our member companies through innovative integrated labor relations, human resources, and administrative services. The membership of PMA consists of domestic carriers, international carriers, and stevedores that operate in California, Oregon, and Washington.

June 14, 2023 ILWU, PMA Announce West Coast Waterfront Contract Acting Secretary of Labor Played Key Role SAN FRANCISCO (June 14, 2023) – The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union today announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports. The deal was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The parties will not be releasing details of the agreement at this time. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”