The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has a new president, marking a carefully planned leadership transition at one of the busiest container gateways on the U.S. East Coast, according to FreightWaves.
Kevin Price assumed the title of agency president as of July 1. Price, who served as chief operating officer of facilities operator Gateway Terminals of Savannah since 2022, succeeds Griff Lynch, who retains the title of chief executive officer. Price was announced as the new president in February. He will add the CEO title when Lynch retires in August 2027 after 15 years at GPA.
Succession Timeline
The transition was executed smoothly, with the GPA implementing its succession plans from within. The appointment was announced five months before Price took office, providing a clear leadership roadmap.
| Role | Outgoing | Incoming | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Griff Lynch | Kevin Price | July 1, 2026 |
| CEO | Griff Lynch (retains title) | Kevin Price (will add CEO title) | August 2027 (when Lynch retires) |
Leadership Backgrounds
Price is a 30-year industry veteran. Before joining GPA, he was chief operating officer of Virginia International Terminals. He is a graduate of the executive program at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and earned his undergraduate degree at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Lynch, who fashioned a 38-year career in the maritime industry, will remain as CEO for another year to ensure a smooth handoff.
Quotes on Transition
“I look forward to building on GPA’s incredible momentum and working closely with the GPA Team, customers and business partners to keep raising the bar on our performance,” Price said in a release.
“I’m excited for our employees and all our stakeholders because Kevin is the perfect candidate to take GPA and our team to the next level,” said Lynch.
What This Means for Shippers and Operators
For freight forwarders, logistics managers, and ocean carriers using the Port of Savannah, the leadership change signals continuity. Price’s deep experience in terminal operations—both at Gateway Terminals of Savannah and previously at Virginia International Terminals—suggests an operational focus. The orderly succession, with Lynch remaining as CEO for the next 13 months, minimizes disruption. Stakeholders can expect the port authority’s strategic direction to remain steady during the transition period.
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