Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO Doug Otto on Wednesday announced his executive leadership team, assembled to support the next phase of the Port’s growth and to strengthen its role in driving statewide economic development.
“As the Port grows in scale and responsibility, it’s essential that we have a leadership structure that is aligned, forward-looking, and built to deliver,” said Otto. “This team has the experience, authority, and perspective needed to strengthen our operations, execute major investments, and position Alabama competitively for future growth.”
The executive leadership team includes the Port’s chief operating officer, chief engineering officer and chief financial officer, as well as the newly created positions of chief development officer and chief policy officer. The team is focused on a unified growth strategy to enhance core operations, invest in infrastructure and capacity, and collaborate with public and private partners to promote long-term economic development across Alabama. This integrated approach is to ensure that execution, growth and governance stay closely aligned as the Port continues to expand its role as a driver of the State’s economy.
“Doug has assembled a strong team that reflects the Port’s strategic direction and provides the organizational structure and leadership depth needed to guide its next phase of growth,” said Zeke Smith, chairman of the Alabama Port Authority Board of Directors. “The Board looks forward to supporting Doug and his team as they continue delivering results for the State of Alabama.”
Alex King, chief operating officer, will oversee the Port’s operational strategy with a focus on fostering growth within existing business lines, especially at the Port’s McDuffie Coal, Pinto Steel and General Cargo terminals. King will supervise efforts to increase customer volumes, boost terminal productivity, and advance the Port’s general cargo and McDuffie Coal Terminal modernization initiatives, both of which aim to expand capacity and improve service.
As chief development officer, Maggie Oliver will lead the Port Authority’s marketing, communications and economic development strategy, marking a clear shift in how the Port promotes new business growth. In this role, Oliver will prioritize advancing a statewide development strategy to increase Port cargo volume by collaborating with economic development partners to attract new industries, influence supply chain location decisions, and align long-term investments with Alabama’s infrastructure and industrial strengths.
In addition to operations and development, Otto said his vision for growth is based on strong governance, careful planning and disciplined execution. These principles will support the organization as it pursues complex investments, collaborates with public partners and creates long-term value for Alabama.
As chief policy officer, Catherine Reaves will lead policy, government affairs and board governance while managing executive priorities across the organization. In this role, Reaves will serve as a link between the executive leadership team, the Port Authority Board of Directors and external stakeholders, ensuring strategic alignment and organizational consistency. She will also oversee legal coordination and advocacy efforts as the Port’s scope and public responsibilities expand.
Jason Krick, chief engineering officer, will oversee the Port Authority’s capital planning, engineering and infrastructure delivery programs. In this role, Krick is responsible for advancing major modernization and expansion initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and align with the Port’s growth strategy and operational goals.
Chris Ransom has served as chief financial officer since 2023, leading the Port Authority’s financial strategy, long-term forecasting and capital planning. In this role, Ransom aligns financial resources with the Port’s growth priorities—ensuring that operations expansion, infrastructure investments and economic development initiatives are supported by disciplined budgeting, sustainable funding methods and rigorous financial analysis. Ransom is also serving as interim COO until King assumes his position on March 1.
Otto said that, together, the executive leadership team provides a unified structure to steer the Alabama Port Authority through its next growth phase—aligning operations, development, policy, engineering and finance to deliver lasting value for the State of Alabama.
“We’ve built an executive leadership team that supports both the business we have and the opportunities we’re building,” said Otto. “By enhancing operational performance and taking a more intentional, statewide approach to generating new demand, this team will provide the Port with the structure and capacity necessary for sustained, long-term growth for Alabama.”
