Ashtabula, Ohio and Toledo, Ohio sought out experienced longshore workers, International Longshore Association union officials and maritime professionals to serve on their Port Authority boards. Other Port Authorities have been less successful placing longshoremen on their boards.
Suit and tie men have much to contribute to local Port Authorities. Their business skills are necessary to the formation of a successful organization. Blue collar longshoremen have much to contribute as well. International Longshoremen Association officer, Mr. Dick Gabel, serves on the Toledo Port Authority. He is a valuable resource for his non-maritime colleagues on the Board. The knowledge Mr. Gabel has gained from many years of work on the docks cannot be learned in business school. In addition to bringing hands-on expertise to problems that may develop, he is there to speak for working men and women.
The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has not taken advantage of the wealth of longshore talent and expertise at their disposal. Cleveland is rich with maritime workers and longshoremen who would be valuable contributors to the Port Authority. The experience of Ashtabula and Toledo should serve as a roadmap to Cleveland in making use of the maritime talent at their disposal.
