The Connecticut Port Authority has tapped John Henshaw as their new executive director, following the resignation of Evan Matthews amid investigations of financial irregularities at the organization.
CPA Chair David Kooris made the announcement during a virtual board of directors meeting.
“Mr. Henshaw was head of the Maine Port Authority for a decade and has recent experience on the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Portland. He also has private sector experience,” Kooris said.
Henshaw replaces Matthews, who was placed on administrative leave in July 2019 for public comments he made to a news agency about CPA critic Kevin Blacker.
Matthews later resigned from his role amid investigations into CPA financial irregularities and policy.
The CPA has also come under fire for its handling of a deal for offshore wind production at State Pier in New London. The cost of the project has increased from $93 million to $157 million.
Henshaw will officially take the reins on September 9.
“Despite the current pandemic and economic conditions I’m optimistic about the State’s maritime future,” Henshaw said. “We are in many ways at a crossroads and I believe Connecticut’s ports are well positioned for success. I’ll be spending the next couple of weeks traveling back and forth to Maine, so I’m prepared to begin work just after Labor Day.”
