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Ports of Indiana Boost Infrastructure, Staff

[ January 24, 2024   //   ]

Ports of Indiana is nearing completion of $1.2 million in infrastructure improvement projects launched at Mount Vernon in 2023 and has ramped up its engineering and accounting resources.

The Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon infrastructure projects included purchasing of a winch system for positioning barges at the general cargo dock, installation of 1,360 new railroad ties and new rail switches; asphalt repairs on Port Road, the port’s main artery, underwater inspections of more than 500 feet of dock wall along Piers 2 and 3, plus 12 mooring dolphins and 18 marine cells, purchase of a new snowplow truck and replacement of the double-track rail crossing on Bluff Road.

“These projects address critical issues that allow us to maintain efficient operations of our roads, rail, and docks, and they are a prelude to bigger projects planned for 2024,” said Port Director Jason May.

Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon is the state’s largest port in cargo shipments and acreage, with more than 680 acres available for development, including a 544-acre megasite. The port handles about 6 million tons of cargo per year.

Staff Resources

Ports of Indiana has hired two veteran engineers in its Mount Vernon and Indianapolis offices, and a senior accountant at the Burns Harbor port, basing engineering and accounting resources at three locations for the first time in years.

Brad Mills and Tim Barnett bring more than 53 years of combined engineering experience to Ports of Indiana’s Mount Vernon and Indianapolis offices. They join Mark Keen, a certified public accountant, at Burns Harbor port.

“Their extensive backgrounds enable them to hit the ground running,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “We’re also excited about having key engineering and financial positions back at our ports to foster active engagement with our operations, customers and local communities.”

Mills, a licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years of civil engineering experience, joins the Mount Vernon port office. He has played key roles in southwest Indiana development as executive director of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Area Plan Commission for 11 years and the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization for seven years. He also has run his own engineering company for 22 years and has extensive experience as a senior engineer for commercial, industrial, environmental and roadway projects in Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia.

Barnett brings 23 years of experience in commercial construction, engineering, and industrial development to the Indianapolis office, and is on the University of Evansville Civil Engineering Advisory Council. He has served as project manager for Reynolds Construction Co.; vice president of business development for F.A. Wilhelm Construction; and in various roles with Bowen Engineering including director of business development of the Power Division.

Keen has served as senior bank examiner for the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and previously as senior accountant for Centier Bank in Merrillville, Ind. He is a CPA certified by the Indiana Board of Accountancy and a Certified Examiner In-Charge licensed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.

Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon is the state’s largest port in cargo shipments and acreage. (Credit: Ports of Indiana)

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