Leadership changes announced at Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission
June 6, 2016
Bill Cork, CEO of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, has announced new leadership at the regional economic development organization.
Bill Cotter is the new chief operations officer with operational responsibility for Stennis International Airport, Port Bienville Industrial Park and Port Bienville Railroad.
Cotter served as Stennis International Airport COO since 1999 and oversaw more than $32 million of airport improvements during that time. He has more than 26 years of experience in private, corporate and municipal airport management. An active pilot, he is a member of the boards of the Mississippi Airport Association and the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.
“Bill’s long career as director of Stennis Airport, his knowledge of our community, his commitment to strong planning and compliance and his success in developing business and vendor relationships will serve us well as we begin to better integrate operational success across all divisions of the Commission,” said Cork.
Kevin Carlisle succeeds Cotter as airport director. He will have oversight of the airfield and airpark operations, infrastructure projects and facilities maintenance. He will report to Cotter. Prior to his current appointment, Carlisle was airport operations and security manager and operations supervisor.
“I congratulate Kevin on this promotion. He has earned it; and we will continue to have a close working relationship,” said Cotter.
Keith Bowman has been promoted to director of Port Bienville Industrial Park. He assumed the position several weeks ago upon the retirement of long-time port director Steve Landry.
Bowman has worked for the Commission since 1997. Previously he had oversight of rail and maritime operations, infrastructure projects, facilities maintenance, and water and sewer utilities. Prior to that, he was port operations manager, railroad manager and locomotive engineer.
“With these changes, complementing the already strong talent we have in our front office – Janel Carothers leading economic development and Janet Sacks as chief financial officer – I am confident that we have a team in place that can lead out with a renewed effort to create jobs, tax base and revenue for our community,” Cork said. “I am new to Hancock County, and we have virtually an entirely new set of Commissioners and county Board of Supervisors. We all see the great potential we have working together for the betterment of Hancock County. It’s an exciting time.”
The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission was established in 1963 to lead the county’s economic development activities. Stennis International and Port Bienville Industrial Park are home to more than 30 companies with 1,000 employees.