AAPA Welcomes New Staff, Recognizes Staff Accomplishments
AAPA is pleased to announce the hiring of new staff to fill vacant positions and recognition of staff promotions in the association. An updated organizational chart can be found here. Margaret (Maggie) Soergel has joined AAPA as the new Director of Conferences and Events. Maggie brings a variety of experience including event management and strategy development from her previous work with The Hill, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and most recently as Director of Strategy for LGND Analytics. She is a graduate of Washington & Lee University. Elizabeth (Liz) Mancini will join AAPA on May 31 as Manager of Member Experience. Liz brings deep association experience from The Business Council of N.Y. State, The Estate Planning Council of N.Y. City, International Association of Special Investigation Units, and most recently with Capitol Hill Management Services. She is a graduate of the State University of New York-Oswego. Sean Callahan has been named as AAPA’s new Director of Navigation Policy and Legislation and will join the association on May 31. Sean’s well-established legislative experience includes policy advisor, legislative director and Deputy Chief of Staff in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Most recently, Sean has been a senior policy advisor at Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck in Washington, D.C. Throughout his D.C. tenure, he has worked with constituents and clients on authorizations and appropriations involving water resources. Sean graduated from the University of Hawaii, holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from American University, and matriculated at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Leaders Program. Sean will replace Jim Walker who formally retired last December but has been working on a part-time basis. Jim’s last day is June 30, 2022. AAPA’s Shannon McLeod has been promoted to Senior Director of Member Services. Shannon will oversee the development and advancement of AAPA’s value proposition to its members. She will continue to manage and enhance AAPA’s workforce and professional development programs and accreditation of current and future leaders in the port and maritime industry. Shannon will champion AAPA’s efforts to facilitate greater data sharing among its members and the broader freight movement community, including the acquisition and distribution of industry statistics, surveys, market studies and other relevant research.
Julie Barelas has been promoted to Workforce and Professional Development Associate and will support all aspects of AAPA’s workforce and professional development activities. Julie is committed to serving and supporting workforce development in the port and maritime industries and will continue her work on AAPA’s Department of Labor ACCELerate apprenticeship grant.
Maranda Jones-Anderson has been promoted to Senior Director of Finance and Administration, as well as treasurer of the association. Since joining AAPA in July 2020, Maranda has worked tirelessly to streamline its financial management, accounting and reporting routines, and has taken on the human resources function and helped to significantly improve the employee onboarding and overall employment experience.
