Taddeo sails into sunset after stewarding Montreal's port

The MPA, an autonomous federal agency, runs Montreal's port and through its activities generates over $2 billion in annual economic spin-offs and creates about 18,000 direct and indirect jobs, statistics that Taddeo proudly likes to publicize. While he became CEO of the MPA in 1984, he actually started working there in 1974 as director of finance. Taddeo, 68, retired last October.

"I was the longest standing port CEO in North America," Taddeo said in a recent phone interview regarding his long career. "It (2007) was a very exciting year. Traffic is up again and we are heading into another record year regarding container and total traffic (at the port).

"The port is well positioned for the future," he added.

Taddeo hopes his legacy from his long career is the port's growth and its competitiveness.

"We invested about $450 million in the port (during my tenure) and it didn't cost taxpayers a cent, it all came from profits from the port," he said. "We run the port as a private business. We've had 27 years of constant profits and growth."

Taddeo points out that nine of the 12 most important container shipping lines — including the top one, Maersk — now conduct business at Montreal's port.

He added his work promoting Montreal's port sent him around the world, including stops in Europe, China, India and South Africa. "In my travels, I met lots of interesting people," he said.

Before he retired, Taddeo received a couple of awards for his work at the MPA.

Last August, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities gave him its Medal of Merit for his contribution to the industry. "Taddeo is a model and source of inspiration for all port authorities in Canada and abroad," stated Sean Hanrahan, CEO of St. John's Port Authority.

In September, Taddeo received the second annual Canadian Sailings Lifetime Achievement Award. "His contributions speak to his dedication to international trade and transportation," stated Peter Tirschwell, vice-president of The Journal of Commerce.

Previously, Taddeo served as president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours as well as vice-president of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. In 1989, he was named Quebec’s Transport Personality of the Year.