Campirano eager to take helm at port

The Brownsville Navigation District board meets Wednesday to finalize a contract with Eddie A. Campirano, selected by majority vote to lead BND as the port director.

Campirano and BND attorneys have been negotiating a contract and its terms are still not available. Board commissioners and Campirano are not commenting until the contract comes up for approval.

But Campirano, assistant general manager of of the Public Utilities Board, said Friday that he is delighted with his appointment, announced last week.

“I am very happy to have been chosen and look forward to certainly working out an acceptable agreement that includes when I will report to work,” Campirano said. “I am eager to get started.”

The vote to select him was not unanimous. Board Chairman Martin C. Arambula, Vice-Chairman Luigi Cristiano and commissioners Roy de los Santos and Carlos Masso gave him the nod while Commissioner Peter M. Zavaletta was opposed.

“I respect every individual decision and the collective decision,” Campirano said.

Confident that a contract would be executed, Campirano said that his initial goal is to familiarize himself with port operations.

“It’s important to align the goals of the commissioners with the goals of the staff and get the port going in the same direction,” Campirano said.

“Obviously, my goal is the same as everybody’s: to have a healthy productive port that is going to be a real driver in terms of jobs and the regional economy,” he said.

First on his list is to get to know the staff and operations.

“I’m very happy and excited. It is a great opportunity and I certainly appreciate the opportunity. I feel I can do a great job. I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to work with the board, staff and the stakeholders,” Campirano said.

Campirano replaces former director Bernard List who the majority fired in September after less than a year on the job, saying that it wanted to pursue a different direction.

At the time, List was earning $120,000 a year plus a $700 monthly auto allowance. He also had use of a BND cell phone.

Campirano currently earns $129,542 a year plus a biweekly car allowance of $288. He also has use of a PUB cell phone.

The board meeting Wednesday to consider the employment contract will be at noon at BND administrative offices, 1000 Foust Road.