Barely 2 1/2 years into his leadership of the Port Authority, CEO Adam Wasserman was let go Friday. In a printed statement Friday, the Port Authority called the separation "part of a mutual agreement by the Board of Directors and Mr. Wasserman.' The Board has offered no further explanation of its action and has declined interviews on the matter at this time.
This leadership change comes two weeks after logistics specialist Patrick Coyle resigned from the Port Authority ... Just 90 days into his job. Coyle and Wasserman had been hired to help transform the port into A vibrant international commerce center.
Wasserman's plan called for moving maritime operations away from downtown, to a site near East 55th Street.
Cleveland State University professor Ned Hill of the College of Urban Affairs says that while the board of directors can remain secretive on its' decision-making, it cannot completely ignore the taxpayers need to know why these personnel changes are happening.
PROFESSOR NED HILL:
"Leadership of the Port is going to have to explain all of this to the public. They do receive public funding, and if the public loses faith in the authority, that's not good for the long term health of the port, or the economy."
Hill says the port has also failed to adequately explain how moving the port makes good financial sense.
The board announcement says the search for a new CEO is already underway - and will be national in scope.
