On The Move: Benjamin Timm, Doug Otto

Port Milwaukee has welcomed a new municipal port director. Benjamin “Benji” Timm, who worked at the Milwaukee Department of City Development for several decades, was appointed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson and sworn in as port director the first week of November.

“Benji Timm is a highly respected colleague who has taken on challenging projects such as Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern cleanup, Northridge redevelopment and Century City reimagining,” Johnson said. “His professional strengths are a great complement to the talented port staff he will lead.”

Timm graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2000 and immediately started working for the city of Milwaukee. He has been involved in dozens of city projects and has experience in budget management, lease negotiations and economic development.

According to Mayor Johnson, Timm was chosen out of several applicants for the position of port director.

Timm succeeds Jackie Q. Carter, who leaves her position as port director of eight years to lead the Milwaukee Department of Employee Relations.

Doug Otto has been appointed as the new director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority, the port announced November 12.

“I am honored by the board’s trust and look forward to leading our team through this exciting time for Alabama’s Port,” Otto said. “Together, we are delivering the infrastructure and strengthening the strategy that will define the port’s future success and Alabama’s role in global trade for generations to come.”

Otto previously held the position of vice president of engineering at Alabama Port Authority in 2022 and was promoted to chief engineering officer in 2024. Before his time with Alabama Port Authority, Otto was chief of the engineering division for the Mobile Engineer District. He also served as the commander for the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s “Hurricane Hunters” Squadron.

“With more than $1 billion in infrastructure investments underway across the port, steady and consistent leadership from an experienced executive like Doug is essential,” said Zeke Smith, chairman of the Alabama Port Authority board of directors. “From commanding the Hurricane Hunters squadron to leading complex engineering projects, Doug’s proven discipline, leadership and technical expertise make him the right person to guide the port through this critical phase of growth.”