2025 Savannah State of the Port – Savannah, GA

The 2025 State of the Port Address, hosted by the Georgia Ports and the Propeller Club of the United States—Port of Savannah, will be held at the Savannah Convention Center. GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch will present the latest developments at the GPA during a networking lunch program.

State of the Port tickets include a coffee/networking reception. Tickets are required for entrance.

SPEAKERS:

KENT FOUNTAIN: Chairman | Georgia Ports

Kent Fountain serves as the President & CEO of Southeastern Gin & Peanut, Inc. in Surrency. Fountain attended the University of Georgia where he obtained a degree in Agricultural Economics. In 1995, Fountain began Southeastern Gin, Inc. and in 2004 built a peanut buying point, and the firm became Southeastern Gin & Peanut, Inc. In 2015, Fountain was instrumental in starting Premium Peanut, LLC, where he currently serves as Chairman. The recipient of numerous awards, Fountain received the Southeastern Ginner of the Year award in 2001 and the Horace Hayden National Ginner of the Year award in 2016. He and his wife, Missi, live in Screven and have two sons attending the University of Georgia.

GRIFF LYNCH: President and CEO | Georgia Ports

Griff Lynch is the President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), an 1,800-person strong state authority that owns and operates strategic port terminals serving American commerce.

As President and CEO, Lynch oversees the nation’s third-busiest gateway for containerized trade and second-busiest auto port complex in Savannah and Brunswick, respectively. Together, these form one of the largest economic engines in the U.S. Southeast and one of the fastest growing ports in the United States.

Lynch brings 30 years of operational and commercial experience to his role.

NICK HARTY, SVP: President | International Propeller Club, Port of Savannah

Nick Harty has 25 years’ of experience in banking, commercial real estate lending and financial services. He has a passion for problem solving and outstanding customer service. Nick’s customers include commercial real estate investors, business owners, professional firms, and entrepreneurs. 2025 will mark his 13th year at United Community Bank. He is a graduate of the 2016 United Community Bank’s Leadership Academy as well as the Leadership Southeast Georgia class of 2022. Prior to starting his financial services career, he spent five years working for a brokerage and freight forwarding company in 5 U.S.A. ports. In 1987, the U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Nick his Customsbroker License. He is a graduate of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia and of Benedictine Military School.

Nick is a native to Savannah, and he lives on the Isle of Hope where he grew up.