PORT BOSS BOWING OUT
Cree at helm for 33 years
David Cree, the longtime boss of the Windsor Port Authority, has announced his retirement.
A nationwide search has been launched for a replacement for Cree, 67, who said the time was right for him to step down at the end of April after 33 years as CEO of the city’s ports.
“I think we have brought some significant business to the community in the last 30-plus years,” he said. “We have brought some industry to town and created jobs. We have been self-sufficient, able to grow the business and make a profit, which always gets re-invested back into the community.
“It’s been a very enjoyable job. We’ve had a lot of great board members over the years and that makes the job very gratifying when you are all headed in the same direction.”
Cree’s tenure at the helm dates back to the former Windsor Harbour Commission — a precursor to the current port authority.
He listed the move of the port authority’s office into Sandwich Towne just over three years ago and construction of a new home for HMCS Hunter nearby on the riverfront among his most rewarding contributions over the years.
“The development side has always been the most gratifying for me to work on,” Cree said. “All in all, I feel the port authority has made a significant contribution to the community.
“On the marine side of it, you have a very interesting group of people and very tight-knit community across the Great Lakes. We have by far the lowest port fees in Canada. We are always talking about that being a competitive advantage and we have been able to grow the business.”
Cree mentioned how the lack of resolution for the port’s Ojibway Shores property bothers him in terms of unfinished business, but expects a deal will soon be found that will satisfy both environmentalists and the port authority.
The 33-acre site on the west end is the last piece in Windsor of untouched property on the riverfront.
Cree expects with a job search underway, a replacement will be named sometime around late February or early March.
He will be remaining in town following his retirement and available to ease any of the transition, he said.
“I think the direction will continue,” Cree said. “In terms of growing the business there is lots of opportunity in Windsor for the new person. We are on a good track.”
I think we have brought some significant business to the community in the last 30-plus years . ... We are on a good track.