The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has announced the promotion of Susan Gardner, formerly Vice President of Operations, to Chief Information Officer. This strategic move aims to leverage Gardner's extensive experience to enhance the port's operational efficiency and technological capabilities.
GPA President Kevin Price emphasized Gardner's qualifications, saying, "Susan’s terminal operating expertise, systems knowledge and leadership will take us to the next level of performance for our customers and port users." Gardner, who joined GPA in 2020, previously oversaw daily operations at the Port of Savannah, a rapidly growing hub handling 40 ships and 42 doublestack trains weekly, along with 15,000 truck transactions daily. In fiscal year 2026, the Port of Savannah managed 5.67 million TEUs.
With over 30 years of industry experience, including a role as Vice President and General Manager of Field Operations at Kaleris/Navis, Gardner brings a deep understanding of port systems. She expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, "This is an exciting opportunity to find new ways to constantly improve our operations. We want our GPA service levels to be the best in the industry, delivering supply chains that flow smoother and compete stronger in world markets."
Looking ahead, GPA's strategic plan includes a $5 billion investment over the next decade for infrastructure improvements. This plan features the addition of five big-ship container berths in Savannah and a fourth Roll-on/Roll-off cargo berth at the Port of Brunswick, which currently handles over 700 ships annually. These developments are set to support future growth and maintain the ports' competitive edge.