Two High-Level Execs Leave Port District’s Ranks
Maritime Services Director, Attorney Jobs Have Yet to Be Filled
BY RENE’E BEASLEY JONES
Staff Writer
A senior director and attorney have resigned from the San Diego Unified Port District.
Senior Director of Maritime Services Jim Pugh left the port Nov. 8, in the middle of his three-year contract. Port attorney David Chapman will retire on Dec. 27.
Pugh marks the second senior director to leave in less than a year.
Senior Director of Real Estate Tom Morgan left nearly a year ago, and that position has not been filled.
Port officials remain vague about Pugh’s departure. His decision was a mutual agreement, said Rita Vandergaw, a port spokeswoman.
“It’s a personnel issue, and I can’t get into details,” she said.
Pugh worked as a self-employed consultant many years before signing a contract with the port 18 months ago. He also worked for the Port of Houston from 1984 to 1991.
His San Diego contract paid an annual salary of $136,000. As senior director of maritime services, Pugh oversaw terminals where cruise ships dock and at 10th Avenue and National City.
He worked directly with cargo-handling customers.
Port employees who worked with Pugh will take over his duties until a new senior director is hired, Vandergaw said.
Pugh was not available for comment.
“Information on Mr. Pugh’s departure has been very hard to come by,” said Richard Cloward, executive director of the San Diego Port Tenants Association.
The association was pleased with Pugh, Cloward said.
“He was very knowledgeable on port maritime issues. He did a good job at outreach. He listened to the tenants and solicited tenant input,” Cloward said.
The group, which brought nearly $60 million into the port’s coffers last year, has no say about who is hired to fill Pugh’s position.
The San Diego port is in a ramp-up development phase, Cloward said. He hopes Pugh’s replacement has development experience as well as the ability to manage the day-to-day affairs of the maritime division.
Port officials haven’t started looking for Pugh’s replacement.
Chapman started serving the port as its attorney in 1996. Before that, he served as Escondido’s city attorney, where he lives.
He received $183,873 annually.
Chapman reports directly to the Board of Port Commissioners. The board will seek his replacement.
“David has been an integral part of the Unified Port of San Diego,” said Stephen Cushman, chairman of the board of port commissioners. “He had a key role in the implementation of the district’s ethics policy and several other important initiatives. We wish him well in his new endeavors.”