South magazine 60: Celebration & Arts Issue | Page 13

FACE OF THE
FUTURE
GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY
MEET CURTIS FOLTZ – The Georgia Ports
Authority today supports more than 369,000
jobs across the state, yielding $20.4 billion
in annual income for Georgians. Key to
GPA’s success is the Port of Savannah,
America’s fastest growing container port,
moving 3.66 million twenty-foot container
units in FY2015 alone.
“Savannah is a city that appreciates and
understands the importance of the maritime
trade, from the big distribution center
operators to the mom and pop shops on
Broughton Street that move cargo through
our ports,” said GPA Executive Director
Curtis Foltz. “Because of the support of the
local business community, the GPA is able to
thrive and grow responsibly.”
Foltz decided to join the GPA in 2004, in
part, because of the area’s strong business
community. “From the state of Georgia to
the city of Savannah to the local ILA and the
direct employees; they get it,” he said. “They
work well together toward a common goal of
prosperity for Georgia.”
Under Foltz’ leadership, the GPA
stands out not only in commerce, but also
environmental stewardship -- balancing
economic growth with a commitment to
preserving natural resources, including old
growth trees. Upgraded cranes, lighting and
equipment reduce fuel consumption. Electric
yard cranes cut GPA’s carbon footprint by
96 percent per crane. Savannah’s ship-
to-shore cranes capture enough electricity
from lowering boxes to power themselves
18 minutes of each hour. “Investing in
environmentally friendly technologies
tightens our efficiency by lowering operating
expenses,” Foltz said. “This is an integral
part of our business model.”
“Georgia’s ports are vital to the long-term
economic viability and growth of our state
and nation, a responsibility that requires
GPA to remain on the cutting edge of port
services,” he added. “We are constantly
reinventing ourselves. The growth we are
experiencing in cargo volumes allows us
to reinvest into equipment, technology and
expanded facilities.” Part of that reinvention
is the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project,
which will deepen the river channel to 47
feet at low tide.
“Improving the harbor will preserve GPA’s
role as a powerful economic engine for the
decades to come – not only for Savannah,
but the entire region,” said Foltz. 2 MAIN
STREET, GARDEN CITY, GA GAPORTS.COM
912.963.5526
“IN A TRULY GLOBAL ECONOMY, GEORGIA’S
PORTS WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE
IN THE STATE’S FUTURE SUCCESS.”
– CURTIS FOLTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GPA
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