Committee approves two Port Authority appointments, citing economic and workforce goals

The Cuyahoga County Human Resources Appointment and Equity Committee on May 20 confirmed two executive nominations to the Cleveland‑Cuyahoga County Port Authority board: Catherine Corrigan Tompkins was appointed for a term running March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2029, and incumbent Peggy Zone Fisher was reappointed for a term from April 21, 2025, through April 20, 2029. The committee approved both measures under suspension of the second reading and voted them forward by the members present.

Tompkins, who said she is "currently senior counsel at KeyBank" and has worked more than 20 years in public finance with Squire Patton Boggs, told the committee she supported municipal securities work, economic development projects and has previously worked with county and city stakeholders. "This opportunity gives me the chance to kind of sit on the board side and see what I can do to contribute to something really valuable from an economic development standpoint," she said during her remarks.

Peggy Zone Fisher, who said she was first appointed in 2021 and recently served as vice chair of the Port Authority board, outlined her continuing priorities: recruiting and retaining a permanent president and CEO, supporting levy work, and pursuing strategic projects including Irishtown Bend. Fisher cited regional maritime statistics she attributed to the 2024 Ohio maritime working plan, saying the Port Authority’s maritime activity supports roughly 23,000 jobs, $1.89 billion in personal income and about $7 billion in total economic activity. She also said the port’s construction work supported approximately $6.2 billion in development over the past decade and emphasized workforce and education partnerships such as grants to Davis Aviation and Maritime High School.

Dave Gutile, the Port Authority’s interim president and CEO, introduced himself to the committee and said he looked forward to working with both appointees. Committee members praised both nominees for experience and community ties before voting.

The committee recorded no public comments on the appointments. The nominations were advanced by motion and approved by the members present. The approved resolution numbers (as read into the record) are 20250180 for Tompkins and 20250181 for Fisher; the measures proceed according to the Port Authority appointment process and the stated term dates.