Georgia Ports Elevates Operations Leader Susan Gardner to CIO Role

Digital transformation is becoming just as important as cranes, berths, and terminals in modern port operations. Recognizing this shift, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has appointed an experienced operations executive to lead its technology strategy as it prepares for major infrastructure expansion.

Georgia Ports looks to strengthen technology leadership

The Georgia Ports Authority has named Susan Gardner as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), promoting her from the role of Vice President of Operations. The appointment reflects the port's growing focus on integrating operational expertise with digital innovation to improve efficiency across its facilities.

GPA President Kevin Price said Gardner's extensive experience in terminal operations, combined with her understanding of port technology and leadership capabilities, positions her to help enhance performance for customers, shipping lines, and logistics partners.

Gardner joined the authority in 2020 as Senior Director of Operations and Projects before being promoted to Vice President of Operations. In that role, she has been responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities at the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest container gateways in the United States.

Savannah currently manages around 40 vessel calls each week, supports 42 double-stack freight trains, and handles approximately 15,000 truck movements every day. During fiscal year 2026, the port processed 5.67 million TEUs, making it the fastest-growing port in the southeastern United States.

Beyond routine operations, Gardner has also overseen the development of the Ocean Terminal project, a significant component of the authority's long-term expansion strategy.

Before joining GPA, Gardner built extensive experience in port technology at Kaleris/Navis, where she served as Vice President and General Manager of Field Operations for the Americas. During that period, she supervised roughly 20 terminal software implementations annually across a customer base exceeding 100 terminals and operators, giving her a strong understanding of how digital systems can improve terminal performance.

Commenting on her appointment, Gardner said she sees the new role as an opportunity to continue improving the authority's operational efficiency through technology. She emphasized the goal of delivering industry-leading service levels while helping supply chains move more efficiently and remain globally competitive.

The appointment also comes as the Georgia Ports Authority moves forward with an ambitious US$5 billion infrastructure program planned over the next decade. Major projects include the construction of five additional big-ship container berths at the Port of Savannah and a fourth roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) berth at the Port of Brunswick, supporting future cargo growth.

Why this matters

• Technology is becoming a strategic asset, with ports increasingly placing operational experts in digital leadership roles.
• Terminal efficiency directly impacts vessel turnaround times, helping shipping companies reduce delays and improve schedule reliability.
• Digital systems and infrastructure investments work together, enabling ports to handle larger cargo volumes without compromising productivity.
• For shipowners and logistics operators, smarter port operations can translate into faster cargo movement, lower costs, and more resilient supply chains.

Conclusion

The Georgia Ports Authority's leadership change signals a stronger commitment to combining operational excellence with digital innovation. As major expansion projects move ahead, technology will play an increasingly important role in keeping one of America's fastest-growing ports competitive in the global maritime industry.