Donald Brinkman recently was certified as a Professional Port Manager by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Completion of the four-year certification program places Brinkman amongst the top ranks of other global maritime professionals.
Brinkman has served as the director of engineering and maintenance at the Port of Lake Charles for seven years. He is a McNeese State University graduate, having achieved a master’s degree in engineering management and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
A mere 100 international graduates have completed the Professional Port Manager certification since its inception in 1995. Participants must hold professional management positions at port authorities, complete a prescribed curriculum of seminars, and complete a two-week residency, or submit a research paper that contributes substantially to the body of knowledge concerning public port management.
Brinkman was nominated to the program by Port of Lake Charles Executive Director Bill Rase. “Donald has been an integral part of the port’s executive leadership, and now he’ll be more versed on the various challenges facing the maritime community—both here in southwest Louisiana as well as regionally.”