Longtime Executive Director of the Memphis & Shelby County (Tenn.) Port Commission, Randy Richardson, will retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) and commission announced.

A successor has not been chosen.

Richardson joined the port in 1993 and directed it since 2010, advancing industrial development, logistics, and economic growth across Memphis and Shelby County. He led planning, development, and operation of port and industrial assets along the Mississippi River, helping position Memphis as the fifth-largest U.S. inland port, mainly handling liquid and dry bulk cargoes.

He oversaw thousands of acres of industrial property, supported more than 120 industries, and helped attract and expand major employers, generating what the commission said was billions of dollars in capital investment and thousands of jobs for the region.

Richardson guided long-term strategic planning for the port including redevelopment of key assets, expansion of rail and pipeline infrastructure, and strengthening of multimodal transportation capabilities.

“Randy’s leadership has been foundational to the growth and success of the Port of Memphis,” said EDGE President and Chief Executive Dr. Joann Massey, in a statement. “His expertise and steady leadership strengthened the port’s role in our regional economy and created lasting value for Memphis and Shelby County. We are grateful for his decades of service and wish him the very best in retirement.”

EDGE and the port commission said that they will work closely to ensure continuity of operations and ongoing economic development initiatives as leadership transitions.

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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