Nov. 17, 2025
NORFOLK, VA — Today the Virginia Port Authority’s (VPA) chief executive officer and executive director, Stephen A. Edwards, announced that he is stepping down at the end of 2025 to assume a new role in the private sector.
Edwards has led the VPA since January 2021 and under his leadership the port has largely completed its $1.4 billion capital investment program on time and on budget. Further, the port has grown volumes, revenues, earnings and man hours.
During Edwards’ tenure the port helped attract a record amount of port-centric industrial development to Virginia and renegotiated the lease for the Virginia International Gateway container terminal. The renegotiated lease is a long-term agreement that gives the VPA a defined option to buy the terminal at a set price and provides greater operational and investment control at that facility.
“We cannot overstate the contribution that Stephen has provided during his tenure,” said John W. “Bill” Kirk III, chairman of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) Board of Commissioners. “Under Stephen’s guidance The Port of Virginia has been widely recognized as the highest performing port by customers and users. He has built a strong commercial and operating culture that will serve us well moving forward. He has truly positioned Virginia for continued success and we wish Stephen all the best as he begins his new and exciting challenge.”
“I cannot be more thankful for the wonderful team and leadership at The Port of Virginia,” Edwards said. “This team is among the strongest in the nation, and it has a true purpose to help our customers and port users succeed and to bring economic value to the Commonwealth. I am confident in their continued success and I look forward to monitoring their future contributions to global trade and securing Virginia’s prosperity.”
Chief Administrative Officer, Sarah J. McCoy, will assume interim leadership of the VPA following Edwards’ departure; McCoy has worked in the port for 10 years.
“Sarah has led many long-term initiatives and improvements within the port and will continue to provide her excellent leadership across the organization as the search for a new leader gets underway,” Edwards said.
Edwards last day will be Dec. 31.