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Council committee confirms Benjie Tim as Port Milwaukee director after extended questioning
Summary
The Public Works Committee confirmed Mayor Johnson's nominee Benjie Tim to lead Port Milwaukee after questions about his maritime and profit-and-loss experience; Tim emphasized partnership with existing port staff, a tourism push and foreign-trade zone opportunities.
Benjie Tim, Mayor Johnson's nominee to serve as director of Port Milwaukee, was confirmed by the City's Public Works Committee after an extended round of questions about his management and maritime experience.
Tim told the committee he has more than 25 years of experience with the city's Department of City Development and related projects, and he said he would draw on those relationships to boost Port Milwaukee's business and tourism. "Port Milwaukee is expected to welcome 62 cruise ships in 2026. That's gonna bring 19,000 visitors to the city of Milwaukee," Tim said in prepared remarks.
Committee members pressed Tim on operational experience. Autumn Mifflin asked how many employees are on the port roster; Tim responded that the FTE count is 21. Multiple aldermen questioned Tim about direct supervisory and profit-and-loss experience, with one councilor saying the committee should consider whether it seeks a port director focused on asset management or an entrepreneurial leader. Tim acknowledged gaps in maritime-specific experience but said the port staff has technical expertise and that he would rely on that staff while providing management and relationship-building at the city, state and federal levels.
Tim described Port Milwaukee's inclusion in Foreign Trade Zone 41 and said the designation can help attract businesses by mitigating some tariff burdens; he noted the federal approval process for new FTZ users can be slow. He also said he could provide annual updates and return to the committee with measurable near-term goals.
Amber Daniels, the council liaison to the mayor, said applications were open and that the mayor's office conducted a national recruitment process. Daniels said she would provide additional details requested by the committee after the meeting, including information about the selection process and applicant pool.
A motion to confirm Tim was made and carried after the chair reported hearing one objection during the vote. The committee asked the administration to supply follow-up information requested during questioning.
