The PhilaPort Board of Directors has appointed Rich Lazer as the port’s next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, with his tenure expected to begin on June 1, 2026.
Lazer succeeds Jeff Theobald, who announced his retirement in December after a decade of leadership that transformed PhilaPort into one of America’s fastest-growing ports.
Lazer currently serves as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority and previously held senior positions in Philadelphia city government, most recently as Deputy Mayor for Labor under former Mayor Jim Kenney.
His background encompasses labour relations, operations management, stakeholder engagement and complex negotiations. Notably, Lazer has served as a member of the PhilaPort Board of Directors since 2019, providing him with direct familiarity with the port’s operations, strategic priorities and long-term growth agenda.
The selection followed a competitive global search conducted in partnership with Korn Ferry that attracted more than 100 applicants.
Lazer assumes leadership of an organisation that has undergone significant transformation under Theobald. Since 2016, PhilaPort more than doubled cargo volumes, secured over 180 acres for expansion, completed the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project, advanced nearly US$ 1 billion in capital improvements, achieved financial self-sufficiency for the first time in its history and reintroduced cruise operations through the launch of the PhilaPort Cruise Terminal.
Board Chairman Michael Pearson paid tribute to Theobald’s decade of service, describing him as one of the most consequential leaders in PhilaPort’s modern history.
