The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Griffith Lynch, Chief Operating Officer and Incoming Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority, will be the keynote speaker at the Member Economic Luncheon occurring on Thursday, March 24^th in the Oglethorpe Ballroom at the Augusta Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and the program beginning promptly at noon. Advanced registration is required at AugustaMetroChamber.com.

As Chief Operating Officer of the single largest container terminal in North America and second busiest U.S. auto port, Griff Lynch is responsible for leading a team of 1,100 employees, sustaining the profitable growth and development of all operations and maintaining world class operating standards. His duties include overseeing ambitious capital improvement and development programs for five deep water ports and two inland terminals while maintaining strong relationships with numerous customers, labor officials and supply chain partners.  In July of 2016, he will assume the role of Executive Director of the GPA.

A proven leader in the maritime industry, Lynch brings more than 27 years of experience in the design and implementation of major port expansions, the effective execution of sustainable profit and productivity models and identifying winning sales and marketing strategies. Lynch graduated from the State University of New York at Maritime College in 1988 and immediately began his training as a vessel planner. Over the course of his career he held executive positions in both sales and operations at terminals in New York and Virginia before joining the GPA in 2011.