Virginia Port Authority Approves Sarah McCoy CEO

NORFOLK, VA – The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) board unanimously approved Sarah McCoy as its new Chief Executive Officer last week. McCoy, an integral leader in the port’s $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program, was appointed interim CEO in January. In a parallel development, Erin Slayton of HDR was sworn in as chair of WTS International on May 7, an organization dedicated to advancing women in transportation.

What Is the Full Scope of This Development?

The appointments place two women into significant leadership positions within the US transportation sector. Sarah McCoy’s promotion at the VPA is internal, moving from general counsel (2017-2022) and chief administrative officer (2022-present) to the chief executive role. Erin Slayton’s election to chair of the 10,000-member WTS International follows a two-year term as vice chair and marks the fourth time an executive from consulting firm HDR has held the position.

Key Development Data

How Does This Compare to Industry Trends?

McCoy’s career trajectory from general counsel to CEO highlights an industry appreciation for legal expertise in navigating complex infrastructure deals and regulations. Top legal roles in transportation often manage high-stakes litigation comparable to McCoy’s past responsibilities. For example, the general counsel for Union Pacific is currently managing the Donahue, et al. v. Union Pacific Railroad Company case, a major bias lawsuit set to return to the 9th Circuit in April 2025 (Source: Law360, 2024). The concurrent appointments of McCoy and Slayton also underscore a sector-wide effort, formalized by organizations like WTS, to improve female representation in executive leadership.

Editor’s Analysis

The elevation of a former top lawyer to CEO at a major port suggests a strategic focus on risk management, regulatory compliance, and complex contract negotiation as core pillars of growth. This move prioritizes administrative and legal acumen for overseeing massive capital projects, such as the VPA’s $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program. It indicates that for asset-heavy entities like port authorities, the ability to manage legal and financial frameworks is becoming as critical as traditional operational experience.

FAQ

Q: What major project was Sarah McCoy involved in at the Virginia Port Authority?
A: McCoy was an integral part of the team behind the port’s $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program. She also led the team that successfully renegotiated the port’s long-term lease for the Virginia International Gateway terminal.

Q: What is the mission of WTS International, which Erin Slayton now chairs?
A: WTS International is a 10,000-member professional organization dedicated to attracting, sustaining, connecting, and advancing women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. Slayton is the fourth leader from her company, HDR, to serve as chair.

Q: Was Sarah McCoy’s new salary as CEO disclosed?
A: The official announcement did not contain information regarding McCoy’s compensation package for the CEO role. This data was not publicly available at the time of publication.