Georgia Ports Authority's board elects McKnight chairman

The Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) board yesterday elected William McKnight chairman to succeed Jimmy Allgood.

McKnight, who has served as vice chairman since 2018, will assume his new role July 1. He is president of his family's construction company in Augusta, Georgia.

"As an entrepreneur and business leader with more than 30 years in the construction industry, Will McKnight has the experience necessary to keep GPA at the forefront, delivering opportunity for growth to large and small businesses across the state," said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a press release.

McKnight thanked Allgood for his leadership over the past three years. During Allgood's tenure as chairman, the GPA's annual container volumes grew from 3.6 million to 4.5 million 20-foot equivalent container units.

In other business yesterday, the board authorized an expansion of auto-handling capacity at the Port of Brunswick, approving $6.7 million for the first phase of the Colonel's Island north side paving project.

CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway serve the Georgia ports.