The Milwaukee Common Council Public Works Committee confirmed Benjamin (Benji/Benjie) Tim as director of Port Milwaukee on a 2-1 vote after extended questioning about his commercial shipping and profit-and-loss experience.

The confirmation followed a nomination by Mayor Johnson and an introduction from Amber Dan, council liaison to the mayor, who described a national search and outreach to port networks. Benjamin Tim told the committee he had worked with Port Milwaukee and city departments for more than two decades at the Department of City Development, citing experience in real estate, lease development, construction management and environmental policy.

Committee members pressed Tim on matters central to port operations. Alderman Autumn Mifflin asked whether Tim had direct experience managing maritime shipping, international trade regulations and profit-and-loss responsibility; Mifflin said the port should be positioned to operate as a revenue-generating enterprise rather than only as an asset manager. Tim said he had managed large city projects and that Port Milwaukee has technical staff with deep operational expertise, and that he would rely on those staff while pursuing economic-development goals.

Alderman Baumann (remarks recorded during the meeting) said he viewed the port as an underutilized asset that should move toward greater revenue production; he questioned whether Tim’s background showed the necessary P&L experience. Tim replied that he has managed multimillion-dollar projects, worked with rail and commodity clients, and planned to use his real estate and economic development experience to attract businesses and expand the port’s activity.

Tim outlined specific near-term priorities including strengthening ties with VISIT Milwaukee and state economic-development partners, supporting tourism tied to cruise ship visits, and continuing work on the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern cleanup and associated sediment-management infrastructure. He also said he would help leverage Port Milwaukee’s status inside Foreign-Trade Zone 41 to attract users.

The committee recorded one objection and the confirmation motion carried 2-1. The transcript does not record individual yea/nay votes by name. A request was made for the administration to provide additional documentation about the selection process, including the selection committee membership and number of applicants; Amber Dan said she would provide that information to the committee.

Tim told the committee he will report back on progress and work with port staff and partners to pursue new business and tourism opportunities.

The committee’s action moves the appointment forward to the full council for final confirmation (per committee procedure).