Port authority introduces board director

The Lorain County Port Authority introduced new leadership Feb. 6 during a special meeting.

Attorney Jim L. Williams formally was introduced as the new director of the County Port Authority, replacing Patrick Metzger, who was terminated Jan. 29.

Williams is an Elyria High School graduate and Lorain County native with a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Cleveland State University.

Lorain County commissioners appointed Williams to the post Feb. 3.

He brings experience in commercial transactions and bond financing projects making his addition notable for the agency responsible for Lorain County’s economic development, officials said.

Williams previously worked with the County Port Authority on a bond financing project with Kendal at Oberlin.

He said he was excited to get to work.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in that, and I look forward to working with you all,” Williams said.

His appointment comes as the County Port Authority Board is making big changes following three resignations Feb. 3.

Former Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes, Frank DeTillio and Ben Fligner all stepped down paving the way for new faces to join the County Port Authority Board.

Lorain County Administrator Tom Williams and the commissioners are in the process of appointing new members to the County Port Authority Board and have had discussions about expanding membership from five to seven.

In pursuing expansion, Tom Williams said Feb. 3 he wants to get more Lorain County communities involved in helping implement the County Port Board plans over the next few years.

Tom Williams said the current plan is for him to be among the appointees to the County Port Board as well.