OSWEGO, N.Y. — William Scriber, executive director and CEO of the Port of Oswego Authority (POA), says he plans to retire on Dec. 31. “It’s been a privilege to have helped guide the Port to new heights of expansion, diversified clients, and greater tonnage over the past five years,” Scriber said in a POA announcement. […]
OSWEGO, N.Y. — William Scriber, executive director and CEO of the Port of Oswego Authority (POA), says he plans to retire on Dec. 31.
“It’s been a privilege to have helped guide the Port to new heights of expansion, diversified clients, and greater tonnage over the past five years,” Scriber said in a POA announcement. “As Lloyd Blankfein said, when he was preparing to retire as chairman/CEO of Goldman Sachs, ‘It’s always been hard for me to imagine leaving. When times are tougher, you can’t leave. And when times are better, you don’t want to leave.’ For me, it feels like the right time to pass the torch to someone else.”
In Dec. 2017, the POA board asked Scriber to serve as acting director. At the time, Scriber said, the Port had lost customers and an overall decrease in business. Scriber said he went to work communicating with former and existing customers to secure both their return and expanded business.
“I made numerous trips to Albany to the [New York State] Department of Transportation and the governor’s office and began developing a ‘comeback’ plan for the Port. This led to the Port of Oswego’s Vision 20/30 that set a road map for achieving economic stability and long-term success,” Scriber said.
As a result, over the past five years, the Port has made a “dramatic comeback,” the POA contends. Among the milestones were the first Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award the Port of Oswego had received in many years. The award recognized increases in international cargo tonnage shipped through the port during the 2018 navigation season. Since then, the Port has won a Pacesetter award for four of the past five years.
“William Scriber’s leadership and vision have returned the Port of Oswego to prominence as a maritime commerce leader,” Thomas Schneider, POA board member and audit committee chair, said in the announcement. “Bill stepped into the executive director position during a very challenging time for the Port. His work ethic, drive and determination have secured millions in development and expansion, while simultaneously broadening our customer base to include new markets and materials. Thanks to his foresight, the Port is in an ideal position to continue to grow and prosper.”
