Posted on May 12, 2026
NORFOLK, VA – The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) Board of Commissioners today selected Sarah J. McCoy as the next chief executive officer of The Port of Virginia®. She has been serving as interim CEO and executive director since January 2026.
The announcement was made by Board Chairman Bill Kirk at a special meeting of the VPA board. The board gave unanimous approval to the resolution appointing McCoy as the VPA’s next leader.
“We spoke to many very capable and experienced leaders inside and outside the maritime industry across the globe” Kirk said. “We are very fortunate to have the best candidate for the job right here at the VPA. Sarah is an experienced and perceptive business leader and has the vision and skillset to lead The Port of Virginia into the next decade as we continue our work to make the Commonwealth of Virginia the best place to locate your business.”
McCoy, 40, joined the VPA 12 years ago. Before assuming the role of interim CEO, she was the VPA’s general counsel from 2017 to 2022 and subsequently served as chief administrative officer. In those roles she oversaw legal strategy, human resources, risk management, procurement, contracts and enterprise governance.
“I am honored to serve as the CEO of one of the Commonwealth’s leading economic engines,” McCoy said. “We have the infrastructure, people and performance to continue defining the future of American trade, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. I look forward to putting these advantages to work to attract business to Virginia and continue delivering for our customers and communities across Virginia.”
In 2025, McCoy led the team that helped the port renegotiate its lease for Virginia International Gateway and in doing so secured an agreed upon sale price for the terminal when the lease expires in 2065. Additionally, she has been an integral part of the team leading the port’s $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program, a capital construction campaign that will lead to more cargo and rail capacity at Norfolk International Terminals, the deepening and widening of the Norfolk Harbor and shipping channels and the conversion of Portsmouth Marine Terminal into a heavy-lift facility.
“The Port of Virginia is an important engine for trade, investment and job creation throughout the Commonwealth and having a leader like Sarah, who brings significant institutional knowledge to the leadership role, is important,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue. “This decision also brings continuity with it, so the port will be able to continue on its path forward without any disruption in leadership. This sends a strong message that the port will continue to be a powerful economic engine for Virginia, helping attract new businesses and anchoring a healthy maritime trade industry on our shores.”
The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VPA owns and through its private operating subsidiary, Virginia International Terminals, LLC (VIT), operates four general cargo facilities Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Warren County. The VPA leases Virginia International Gateway and Richmond Marine Terminal. An economic impact study from The College of William and Mary shows that The Port of Virginia is a driver of more than 565,000 jobs and $63 billion in Virginia gross domestic product on an annual basis.
