BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS - Port of Brownsville Chief of Police William Dietrich has been named interim port director, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
The appointment was confirmed during regular meeting of Brownsville Navigation District held Wednesday, Dec. 6. The board vote to appoint Dietrich was unanimous.
Dietrich will hold the post until a national search for a permanent port director is concluded.
The vacancy arose when longtime port director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano told the board earlier this year of his intention to leave. The process to search for a new port director and CEO began in August.
Campirano’s official departure date is Dec. 31.
“Mr. Campirano has been instrumental in driving sustainable economic growth for the Rio Grande Valley, helping bring multi-billion-dollar business investments, critical maritime infrastructure to the port, and thousands of good-paying jobs for the region,” said Esteban Guerra, chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners. “On behalf of the BND Board, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for his years of service to the navigation district and our community.”
Campirano became the eighth port director and CEO in the Port of Brownsville’s 87-year history when he was appointed to the position in 2007.
“Under his (Campirano’s) leadership spanning 16 years, the port has grown into a major international multimodal transportation hub for Texas and the U.S., consistently setting records for the volume of cargo movements,” a press release from BND stated.
“Major capital infrastructure projects under his tenure include the reconstruction and renovation of the port’s administration office campus; construction of two new cargo docks; the construction of the South Port Connector Road entrance; construction of a 118-acre shovel ready business park; rehabilitation of roads and patios; and the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project.”
The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service understands that while Campirano is leaving the port Dec. 31, he is not retiring.
