Bethann Rooney

Bethann Rooney is the Deputy Director of the Port Department of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; the Nation’s third largest port. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day administrative and operations functions of the Port, including facility management, infrastructure, planning, environmental sustainability, port efficiency, business development, finance, and human resources.  She was named to the position in April 2019 after serving four and a half years as Port’s Assistant Director, Strategy and Innovation.  She is the architect and coordinator of the Port’s Council on Port Performance; the first forum of its kind in the nation that was established as a framework for port constituents to identify challenges to port efficiency and service reliability and develop recommended solutions. Prior to that, Ms. Rooney was the General Manager, Port Security for the Port Authority for 13 years.  Assuming this post in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, she is a recognized world leader in maritime security and emergency management issues.  A 30-year veteran in the maritime industry, she is a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College with a Masters in International Transportation and a Bachelors in Marine Transportation with qualifications as a Third Mate.  Ms. Rooney holds several professional certifications and is an Accredited Marine Port Executive from the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives.  ​