Published in TB Business Magazine
Written by: Alexis Harborth / Photos by: Dustin Ashcraft
Location: Art Museum of South Texas
The Coastal Bend’s sparkling bay is brhome to an organization that’s responsible brfor 60 percent of the nation’s crude exports. The Port of Corpus Christi is a fundamental breconomic driver for our community that brmoved more than 80.5 million tonnes of brcargo in the first six months of 2021.
The Port began operating more than br95 years ago and has since grown into the brlargest port in the U.S., based on total revenue brtonnage.
The Port of Corpus Christi is led by brChief Executive Officer Sean Strawbridge. brStrawbridge came to Corpus Christi in 2015 brand was subsequently appointed as CEO at brthe beginning of 2018. He brought with him brdecades of experience and expertise in the brglobal energy, trade and transportation and brprivate equity sectors, and a career history brthat has done business in more than 40 brcountries.
In just the last four years, Strawbridge brhas already made significant impacts.
“The Port had a stated vision to ‘become brthe energy port of the Americas.’ At the brtime, some thought that was bold. Today, brwe’re the largest gateway for U.S. produced brenergy exports in the United States,” said brStrawbridge. “For crude oil alone, we have brnearly 60 percent market share. It is a brposition of massive importance for the Port brof Corpus Christi, the South Texas Coastal brBend and the state of Texas.”
Looking ahead, Strawbridge has a dual focus for the coming years. “My motivation is to continue to propel the Port of Corpus Christi, and to inspire the people of the Port of Corpus Christi to achieve excellence in all that we do,” said Strawbridge. “That really starts with developing a culture that has values that we work and live by.”
Strawbridge is a living example of these brcore values. He is very actively involved brwith volunteer opportunities and nonprofit brorganizations, with service to the American Heart Association, The Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, The U.S.S. Lexington, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, the San Patricio Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council and the South Texas Military Task Force. brStrawbridge was elected to a seat on the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Board of Directors, where he brrepresents both the Coastal Bend region and brTexas ports.
Corpus Christi’s economy and brcommunity benefit from Strawbridge, whose brdedication and confidence in our people fuel brhis commitment to doing his part in creating bra bright future. “I think The Port will continue brto be a centerpiece of success for the region bras it continues to evolve.”
