Roger Guenther was named executive director of the Port of Houston Authority by the Port Commission after former Executive Director Leonard Waterworth announced his resignation. Guenther has been with the Port Authority for 26 years. Most recently, he served as deputy executive director of operations.
Guenther joined the Port of Houston Authority as Manager of Maintenance at Barbours Cut Terminal in 1988. Since then, he has served in increasingly important positions, including overseeing master planning of the Bayport Container Terminal and redevelopment of the existing Barbours Cut Terminal. Guenther was named Deputy Executive Director, Operations in November 2012.
Chairman Janiece Longoria said, “Given his background and experience, the growth in our business under his operational leadership, and his long and positive service to the Port of Houston Authority, we are confident that Mr. Guenther is the right choice as successor to lead the institution as we move forward.”
Waterworth advised the Port Commission that he had accepted the role for two years to help the Port Authority through recent transitions and to use his U.S. Army Corps of Engineers background to help obtain permits to deepen and widen the Port Authority’s container terminal channels. Having completed those matters, he said he wanted to pursue other opportunities, including personal travel.
Chairman Longoria congratulated Waterworth on his service: “My fellow Port Commissioners and I are grateful to the Colonel for his steady leadership and his service to the Port Authority during his tenure. He worked effectively on many endeavors, including operational matters and the federal permit to deepen and widen the Bayport and Barbours Cut Channels. We are proud of what has been accomplished during the past two years, and the Port Commission wishes Len the very best in his future endeavors.”
Guenther said, “I am truly honored, humbled and excited to have been selected by the Port Commission to lead this organization. And, I am extremely proud of the confidence and trust that they have placed in all of us to maintain the continuity as we move forward into another BIG year at the port.” Guenther further added that it was “business as usual,” and that he was confident in employees’ abilities to make 2014 another great year for the Port Authority.
