North Star Port

FIVE FOR FREIGHTING 5 Questions with Kevin Beardsley Kevin Beardsley is executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority What was your first thought after learning in April that Duluth won the MARAD grant? (see MARAD grant story on Page 2) My first thought was a mix of relief, validation and excitement. We put tremendous effort into building a strong, competitive application, aligning partners, clearly articulating the project's regional and national significance, and demonstrating its economic and logistical impact. Hearing that we were successful confirmed that the work resonated at the federal level. Right behind that came a sense of responsibility. This is not just a win for the Port Authority; it is an investment in the entire Twin Ports region and the broader supply chain we support. The focus quickly shifted to execution: ensuring we deliver on our commitments, steward the funding carefully and maximize the long-term benefit for stakeholders. Candidly, there was also pride in our team and our partners, especially Foth Engineering and their team. These awards reflect collaboration across the public and private sectors, and they reinforce that we are moving in the right strategic direction as a port. What does past experience tell you about the potential difficulties involved with these pier renovations? It tells me that, while each project has its own specifics, the chal- lenges tend to fall into a few predictable, manageable categories. First, there's the complexity of working in a marine environ- ment. You face variable lake conditions, limited construction windows and the need to coordinate closely with ongoing port operations. Keeping projects on schedule while minimizing dis- ruption to tenants and vessel traffic requires careful planning and constant communication. Second, subsurface conditions are often less predictable than we would like. Even with sound engineering and due diligence, once construction begins, you may encounter unforeseen struc- tural issues, legacy materials or deterioration that was not fully visible. That can lead to scope adjustments, cost pressures and the need for quick, informed decisions. Third, stakeholder coordination is always a factor. These projects typically involve multiple funding partners, regulatory agencies, tenants and contractors. Aligning expectations, main- taining transparency and keeping everyone moving in the same direction takes consistent engagement. Finally, cost escalation and supply chain constraints have become more pronounced in recent years. Materials, specialized equipment and contractor availability can impact timelines and budgets. The key lesson from past projects is that success comes down to preparation and adaptability, building contingencies into the plan, maintaining strong relationships with partners, and being ready to respond quickly when conditions change. In your role, you visit a number of ports all over the world. Which port visit surprised you most? One that really stood out was a midsize American port on the West Coast, because it challenged many of my assumptions about scale and sophistication. What made it most surprising was how intentional and integrated their operations were. Despite being (only) a midsize port, they embraced technology, land-use planning and public-private coordination in ways that made the entire system feel cohesive and thoughtful. Everything from cargo handling to landside connections to environmental considerations were clearly part of a long-term strategy, not just incremental improvements. It reinforced that innovation in port management is not limited to the biggest players. I came away from that visit thinking about how those lessons could translate to Duluth- Superior, particularly in proactive planning, leveraging partnerships and positioning the port for the future. You wanted to fish in Florida this spring, but the weather wasn't conducive. What did you do instead? It was too windy to get a line in the water, but we made the most of it anyway. One day, we took a sunset cruise, which was a great way to see the coastline. Another day, we spent some time swimming near a reef. That was probably the highlight. On our last day, we took a boat to a small island for breakfast, which was incredibly relaxing. After the excitement of watching Olympic hockey in February, how do the current Stanley Cup Playoffs compare? They are different, but in a good way. The Olympics have a unique energy because it's country versus country. There's a real sense of national pride, and it's the very best players coming together and trying to create synergy quickly, because of the short tournament timeframe. The Stanley Cup Playoffs feel more intense every night. No pool play, no easy games. It's a grind, best-of-seven, night after night, where every shift matters. It's a different level of physicality and endurance, especially with the overtime format where games can go as long as it takes. The Olympics are special for the global stage, but the Stanley Cup Playoffs—with that long, grueling battle to 16 wins—truly showcases what teams are made of. 1. 2. 3. 4. PHOTO / Kevin Beardsley DULUTHPORT.COM | 1 5.

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