To celebrate Women’s History Month, Georgia Ports is highlighting women who have shaped the maritime community in the state and continue to help make GPA the premier gateway to the U.S. Southeast.
Rickia Pitts
YES+ student trainee
Note: Pitts is the first female participant in the YES+ program
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
As part of the YES+ program, I’ve learned to do a lot of different things. I learn to operate equipment on terminal, move chassis using the jockey trucks and move containers off trains at the Mason Mega Rail Terminal
What is the best part of your job?
There are a lot of positive things about being part of the YES+ program, but I think the best part is the relationships you build with people. I see people that are part of my class on terminal all the time. It just lets me know that I’m not alone out there.
Why did you want to join the YES+ program?
I wanted to try something different, although I never thought I’d be driving a truck! I initially wanted to pursue a nursing career, but I couldn’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I just had to take it, school will always be there, but this opportunity won’t.
My family has been so supportive throughout this process. My mom has been with me every step of the way and helped me with the application process.
I’m so thankful because I really enjoy what I do, I think it’s a lot of fun and very challenging. I’m hoping to become a ship-to-shore crane operator one day.
What have you learned during the YES+ program?
I’ve learned to become a more responsible adult. This is my career and it’s up to me to take it seriously. It’s my choice to get up on time and come to work. I know what I have to do to stay on my current path.
What advice would you give other young women who want to join the YES+ program?
It’s a challenging job, but you must keep pushing forward. Don’t let anything come between you and your job. Do the right thing no matter what.
Roeshone Scott
Risk Management Technician
How long have you been at GPA?
I’ve been with Georgia Ports for nearly 31 years.
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
The mission of GPA’s risk management department is to help protect the resources of the organization through sound practices and procedures. My duties include processing workers compensation claims, distributing proprietary information to the appropriate parties, assisting with sustainability initiatives and overseeing the procurement of safety shoes and glasses.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
Every day is different, and I’m always ready to give my best in every task. In everything I do, I aim to empower my team members throughout the organization. I always wear a smile when greeting everyone with whom I come into contact — state representatives, attorneys, vendors and GPA employees.
What is the best part of your job?
I’ve developed many wonderful friendships over the years. My co-workers have become like a second family to me. I have a lot of love and respect for my colleagues — we’ve been able to watch each other’s children grow up.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
The import and export of goods provide so many jobs and support our local communities, the state of Georgia and beyond. I knew I wanted to be part of a thriving organization that has such a positive impact on Georgia families and GPA employees.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
We have witnessed the completion of the Savannah Harbor deepening, which provides more opportunities for jobs and supports manufacturing facilities around the world. This has really opened the doors for the world to see what GPA has to offer.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
Women working in the maritime industry will have an excellent and productive future. We need to show young women that a career in the maritime industry can be rewarding and exciting. The constantly evolving technology in the maritime industry will continue to encourage women to pursue different skill sets as new roles are created. I have a few words of advice I’d like to offer women interested in pursuing a maritime career:
- Have courage to stand and stand firm.
- Be consistent and transform your thinking.
- Don’t compromise your education.
- Don’t give up if the desire is in your heart.
- Failure is never final, keep seeking.
- Seek wisdom, counsel and knowledge.
Gloria Bray
Senior Systems Analyst
How long have you been at GPA?
I’ve been with Georgia Ports for 38 years.
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
I support the business management software for our financial systems, human resources, payroll and attendance. I configure the software to reflect guidelines for GPA employees.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
My days consist of problem-solving and troubling shooting the software management systems. This could include creating and approving purchase orders and invoices or assisting managers and employees with time-keeping issues. I am constantly analyzing, developing and testing new processes for GPA’s financial and payroll systems. I always try to find ways to improve and streamline the processes.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is getting to work with my great co-workers. I also love having the opportunity to assist others and find more efficient ways to do my job. God has blessed me to be part of such an amazing organization for the past 38 years.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began, our executive director, Griff, recorded a message in front of one of the majestic oak trees on terminal. His message was so encouraging and inspiring, it made me realize that I’m truly where I’m supposed to be.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
Georgia Ports has been like family to me since the beginning. When I started, GPA had fewer than 500 employees, many of whom were neighbors and friends. As we’ve grown, I’ve seen our workforce become more diverse.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
I’ve seen many changes in the past 38 years. We used to process invoices, timecards and tickets on floppy discs, then key the data into a reader similar to a typewriter. The printer was as large as a small car! I’ve also seen new ideas and processes be welcomed to help the ports run more productively.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
I would say come join our team! I’ve seen more and more women step into leadership roles here at GPA. Women are making incredible contributions to the growth of the maritime industry. We all need to look for opportunities to help each other and work cohesively as a team.
Lise Altman
Chief Human Resources Officer
Note: Altman is the first female Chief Human Resources Officer
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
As the chief human resources officer for the Georgia Ports Authority, my primary responsibility is to design and implement an organizational strategy that supports our mission and vital operations. On a practical level, this involves recruiting a diverse, skilled, and dynamic workforce to meet the ever-evolving demands of the maritime industry. It also means making certain that our workforce has opportunities for education and professional development so individuals may advance in their careers with GPA. Most importantly, we strive to offer our employees and their families benefits and tools that add value to their lives away from the ports.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
Every day we are dealing with people – our employees – and their unique questions. GPA jobs cross a broad spectrum and therefore we attract employees from different walks of life and with varied experiences. This aspect makes every day interesting, different, and never boring. The scope of HR operations is multi-layered, but right now we are focused and hands on with end-to-end recruitment!
The one constant that does permeate our work each day is a commitment to our organization’s values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Community, Creativity and Opportunity. We are keeping these values front of mind for all our employees daily.
What is the best part of your job?
By far, it is working with my awesome team and co-workers every day! I am a people person and enjoy helping others reach their goals. It is also personally rewarding to witness the real impact of our programs within the ports’ surrounding communities. GPA recently launched the YES+ program and we continue to build our on-going summer internship opportunities. We learn from these young men and women as much as they learn from us.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and drove by the Jacksonville Port many times in my life, but I never thought I would work in the maritime industry. Then, at age 31, I had an interview with GPA. When I entered the administration building for the first time, I was greeted by the one and only Perry! Perry is one of our Port Police officers. His demeanor and warm greeting mirror the culture of our organization, then and now. During that visit I knew both intellectually and instinctively that I wanted to be a part of this team.
I am grateful that I was hired as the assistant manager of human resources. The maritime industry provided me opportunities to grow, again and again as GPA has become a powerful economic engine for Georgia, the southeast region, and the nation.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
We need more women in this industry, period! Diversity is essential to optimizing an organization’s potential. The benefits of a diverse workforce are illustrated through an expanded range of skillsets and points of view. Women offer varying styles of communication and approaches to core competencies such as finance, operations, and yes, human resources.
The maritime industry has historically been male dominated and its time we break down some of artificial barriers. Women are essential! It is a fantastic career path that I would highly recommend.
Patricia Richardson
Manager of Commercial Communications
How long have you been with GPA?
I have been with the Georgia Ports for 33 years.
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
As part of my role in Corporate Communications, I oversee the Georgia Ports website, manage media buys and advertising, oversee all GPA branding and manage conferences and events.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
In Corporate Communications, we touch all aspects of the port. A typical day for me is educational, energetic, fun, and always different. My day can include working with all GPA departments on their various needs or collaborating with industry professionals.
What is the best part of your job?
Since I started at GPA at a young age, I feel like my co-workers have helped nurture me both professionally and personally. I’m fortunate to have great colleagues, we are like a family.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
Having grown up on the West Side of Savannah, almost everyone I knew worked in the maritime and logistics industries. It seemed only natural to work for one of the fastest-growing ports in the nation.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
When I started, there were containers and warehouses at Garden City Terminal. There was rail service* from the docks to the warehouses. It’s so different now to see warehouse space being occupied by containers and the significant growth over the last few years.
*NOTE: The Mason Mega Rail Terminal is now fully operational, providing 18 working rail tracks. The expansion immediately increases intermodal capacity to and from the Port of Savannah by more than 30 percent.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
You have to love what you do. Find something within the maritime industry that you truly enjoy and stick with it. For me, it was computers. As I advanced within the company, I was able to take my IT experience and apply it to every position held. You need to see it as a career and not just a job.
Alma Rodriguez
General Manager, Customer Service Center
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
As general manager of the Georgia Ports Authority Customer Service Center, I oversee not only the day-to-day operations of the department but also work to address customers’ concerns. I work with multiple departments, depending on the customers’ needs. I also work to ensure the systems and processes we have in place work best for our team and at the same time elevate our customers’ experience.
I coordinate efforts with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on any concerns regarding clearances. I also set up partnership meetings with Customs and serve as a liaison for our customers.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
A typical day starts with reviewing daily analytics and performance metrics for my team. I review that analysis to ensure my department is adequately staffed. I also address emails that have been escalated, monitor customer satisfaction, and ensure the team is up to speed on any operational changes or challenges.
In addition, I regularly meet with upper levels of management to provide feedback on the team’s performance and any other data pertinent to exceeding our goals.
What is the best part of your job?
I love seeing my team gain knowledge on the job and implement that to better serve our customers.
It’s also very rewarding to assist a customer when they have an urgent matter that needs attention.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
I have worked in the industry for more than 38 years, primarily on the ocean carrier side. However, I do have experience with domestic trucking and the Miami Foreign Trade Zone.
Joining the Georgia Ports is the pinnacle of my career. I always wanted to see what it was like to work on this side of the industry. The GPA has always had a stellar representation, so that made the choice easy for me.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
Since I’ve been in the industry for nearly four decades, I have seen many facets of the industries change. The first being the restructuring and diversification of ocean carriers. Previously, carriers owned and operated all aspects of international and domestic industry (trucking, rail and ocean services). Now, they have moved to an end-to-end model that incorporates air freight and third-party logistics.
I’ve also seen a shift in industry regulations and customer needs.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
I’d say if you’re the type of person that enjoys a challenge and learning something new every day, this is the industry for you. I still learn something new every day and that makes for an interesting and rewarding career.
Vera Albright
Port Police Officer
How long have you been with GPA?
I’ve been with GPA for 32 years, it will be 33 in April!
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
Since 9/11, GPA facilities have restricted access, so as a Port Police Officer, I must make sure only people who are supposed to be here have access. We also respond to accidents and ensure safe docking and sailing of vessels calling the Port of Savannah.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
When I am handling access to GPA’s Human Resources building, I monitor all activity at the doors. I verify visitor arrivals with the contact person and issue visitor badges when necessary. We have a lot of people coming to this location for interviews, so I also verify documentation for their visit.
What is the best part of your job?
It’s definitely the people, across the board. I’m a people person, so I love getting to hear their stories. Everyone has a story to tell!
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
I grew up in Texas and wasn’t too familiar with the port industry before I started. I had interviews at Georgia Ports, Gulfstream and Union Camp, and ultimately chose the position with GPA. In hindsight, I’m so grateful for that decision because of how GPA treats their employees and the stability the job provides.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
It’s really been something to see how technology has transformed GPA’s container operations. The way we’re able to move cargo now is amazing. When I started here, the docks only went to Berth 6* and now look! Operations have improved and we’re able to move cargo faster and more efficiently.
*Note: There are now nine berths at Garden City Terminal.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
A lot of times women think there’s not a place for them in this industry, but there is! When I started at GPA, there were only three women in uniform, and I’ve witnessed the increase of female officers over the years. I want women to know they’re just as smart, just as educated and can do the job just as well as a man. This business is built for everybody, so don’t be afraid to try.
Andrea Mitchell
Accounting Assistant
How long have you been with GPA?
I’ve been with GPA for 30 years.
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
I work in accounts payable, so I help pay the bills for the ports.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
A typical day for me is replying to several emails and phone calls. In addition, I key in payments for services, utilities and business expenses to be reimbursed to employees. I also audit documents to release for payment and start the process of adding new vendors or updating current vendors. GPA has approximately 11,500 vendors. Once a week, I help process direct payments and cut checks.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing this mega port thrive and to know that my two little hands play an important part in that growth.
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
I first came to the GPA as an intern. I wanted to go to Chatham County, but God knew where he wanted me to go. I was excited to learn that GPA was paying $1 an hour for interns. Back then, a lot of interns worked for free. I got here and fell in love with my job and my co-workers. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love my job.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
I have seen the volumes of containers and bills rise higher and higher. I call it job security. I used to get excited to have a six-figure check to process, but now it’s no big deal. We are using computers more to streamline our jobs and make workflow more efficient.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
The maritime industry is a great place for women to work. We work everywhere — from the administration office to the seat in a truck. We are fortunate to live in a port city and have an opportunity that is different from the norm.
Susan Gardner
Senior Director, Operations and Projects
How long have you been with GPA?
I’ve been with the GPA for two years, and in the maritime industry for nearly 26 years.
Note: Gardner is the first woman to oversee operations at a GPA facility.
What are your responsibilities at GPA?
I oversee operations at Ocean Terminal, which is a mixed-use facility right now handling containers and breakbulk. I also oversee all the breakbulk business for the GPA at Mayors Point, Bainbridge and Garden City Docks. In addition, I have responsibility for some of the future container expansion projects such as the Savannah Container Terminal at Hutchinson Island.
What is a typical day for you at GPA?
Is there such a thing as a typical day in operations? That is a hard question to answer because of how dynamic all the operations are right now, but that is also why I love operations!
What is the best part of your job?
Working with all the great people on my teams. We really do have some of the best in the business working here at the GPA!
Why did you want to join Georgia Ports and the maritime industry?
I’ve been in the maritime business since I graduated college in 1996 and have always enjoyed the fast-paced, energized atmosphere at ports across the country. Coming to the GPA was a very easy decision for me. I have seen how it has grown since I was first here in 2008 with APM Terminals, and I wanted to be a part of the team that made that kind of growth happen.
In what ways have you seen maritime and logistics change?
I think there has been a shift in how the industry hires and that is a good thing. While you do need “type A” personalities, you need all the other types to have a progressive and charismatic team. Allowing space for different thoughts and approaches to problems only makes teams stronger. We simply can’t keep doing business the way it has always been done and expect different results.
What advice would you give to other women who want to join the maritime industry?
DO IT! I can’t imagine working in any other industry. The friendships I have formed within this industry are so strong and offered me great encouragement over the years. I know that there is someone who has already experienced whatever I am experiencing and can go to them for help and guidance — that support has really been important to me as I have been growing in my career.
