Memphis Port Director Announces Retirement
After a 35-year career in Memphis, Randy Richardson, executive director of the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission, is retiring. Richardson’s career consists of more than three decades of service advancing industrial development, logistics and economic growth across Memphis and Shelby County. His retirement will be effective December 31, 2026.
Richardson told The Waterways Journal that the port will conduct a search for a successor later this year.
Richardson has led the planning, development and operation of port and industrial assets along the Mississippi River, helping position the Port of Memphis as one of the nation’s largest inland ports. During his tenure, he oversaw thousands of acres of industrial property, supported more than 120 industries and helped attract and expand major employers – generating billions of dollars in capital investment and thousands of jobs for the region.
Richardson guided long-term strategic planning for the Port of Memphis, including the redevelopment of key assets, expansion of rail and pipeline infrastructure, and strengthening of multimodal transportation capabilities. His leadership was instrumental in advancing public-private partnerships, securing federal and state grants and increasing the port’s annual economic impact.
Richardson was born in Biloxi, Miss., and raised in Memphis. He has served as executive director since 2010, and as interim president of EDGE since 2022. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of Memphis. He became an accredited marine port executive (AMPE) from the International Association of Maritime & Port Executives in 2017 and is a past chair of the National Waterways Conference and vice president of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association. He is married with three adult children and one grandchild.
“Randy’s leadership has been foundational to the growth and success of the Port of Memphis,” said EDGE President and CEO Joann Massey. “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 Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission will work closely to ensure continuity of operations and ongoing economic development initiatives as leadership transitions,” the port commission said.
Created in 2011 through a joint resolution of the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission, EDGE is the economic development agency for the City of Memphis and Shelby County Government. EDGE provides and coordinates public resources to drive economic development in Memphis and Shelby County.
