Vancouver Port announces Peter Xotta as President and CEO

(Posted on 07/12/23)

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s board of directors has announced that it has appointed Peter Xotta as president and chief executive officer, effective Monday, December 4, 2023. This appointment follows a comprehensive and competitive global executive search process facilitated by Korn Ferry. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. Enabling the trade of approximately $305 billion in goods with more than 170 world economies, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada.

“I am pleased that the Port of Vancouver—and all Canadians—will benefit from Peter’s leadership as president and CEO of the port authority that oversees Canada’s largest port,” said Cathy McLay, chair of the port authority board. “As an experienced transportation executive with a track record of collaboration and success, Peter will continue to advance Canada’s position as a global trading partner while honouring Indigenous peoples, protecting the environment and supporting local communities.”

Peter most recently served as vice president, operations and supply chain for the port authority, where he was responsible for land and marine operations,?health, safety and?security,?and port and supply chain optimization activities.?

“It is my honour to lead an incredibly talented and dedicated team at the port authority,” said Peter. “I have had the privilege of being part of our team’s work in growing Canada’s trade, facilitating the safe movement of goods through the port, while protecting the environment, and bringing benefits to neighbouring communities. I look forward to continued collaboration with all levels of government, Indigenous groups, customers, tenants, transportation partners, labour, and communities as we prepare for continued growth in Canadian trade.”

Throughout his career, Peter has successfully led diverse portfolios including business development and strategic projects. He is passionate about collaborating with customers to find innovative solutions to make Western Canada’s gateway more efficient and resilient. Peter was heavily involved in the port authority’s work with local partners to secure funding for infrastructure projects to improve the goods movement to and from the port to support Canada’s competitiveness in international trade. He also led the organization’s port and supply chain optimization, including Active Vessel Traffic Management?Program and other supply chain visibility initiatives.

Peter has a master of business administration degree from Simon Fraser University’s Segal Graduate School of Business and?has served as?a mentor in the program.? He is the vice chair of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. He also sits on the board of the?Greater Vancouver Board of Trade,?the?Freight Management Association of Canada, and the Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping. He is the former chair of Canada Place Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.?