Mark Ivey Sheppard, vice president for trade and development for the Alabama State Port Authority, died Tuesday at his home following a brief illness. He was 61 years old.
“Mark Sheppard’s sudden passing comes as a deep shock to our maritime and international trade community,” said James K. Lyons, director and chief executive officer. “We are deeply saddened by Mark’s passing. He was a key member of our team and a good friend.”
Recruited by the port authority in February 2005, Sheppard led trade and carrier development for the port’s intermodal investments. Under his tenure, business and ocean carrier service expanded at the new container terminal despite a global economic recession from 2008 to 2010.
Earlier in his 30-year maritime career he worked for U.S. Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, MOL and Nedlloyd.
A native of Mobile, he served on the board of directors for the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Council, and was vice chairman and chairman-elect for the Alabama Germany Partnership.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Sheppard, and is survived by his daughter, Jessica Allen Sheppard of Washington. – Chris Dupin
Alabama port authority’s Sheppard, 61, dead
