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Port Authority hires Udd for government and environmental affairs role

February 16, 2024

Jeff Udd
Jeff Udd

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Seaway Port Authority recently hired Jeff Udd as its director of government and environmental affairs.

A Duluthian, Udd worked most recently for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as manager of its water and mining section. There he had statewide responsibility for water permitting, compliance and enforcement activities at industrial facilities. His scope of responsibility also included the dredged material management program, ballast water discharge program and the industrial stormwater program.

Udd spent more than 20 years in various MPCA roles, beginning as an engineer and working with a wide array of stakeholders. Prior to joining the MPCA, he worked for the Cargill corporation in Ohio and Nebraska. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and he holds a registered professional engineer credential from the State of Minnesota.

Udd succeeds Jeff Stollenwerk, who is retiring in March after five-plus years as the Port Authority’s government and environmental affairs director.

“We’re grateful for all that Jeff Stollenwerk has contributed to the Port of Duluth-Superior and the region as a whole,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “He’s been a tremendous teammate at the Port Authority and key contributor locally, at the state capitol and on Capitol Hill.

“In Jeff Udd, we’re adding another experienced professional from the MPCA with a thorough understanding of environmental and industrial topics pertinent to maritime transportation. We’re excited to welcome him to our team and continue creating positive outcomes for sustainability and economic development in our port.”

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More than 700 vessels and 30 million short tons of cargo move through the Port of Duluth-Superior each year, making it the Great Lakes’ largest tonnage port and one of the nation’s top 20. The port supports more than 7,000 jobs and contributes $1.3 billion in business revenue to the regional economy. Learn more at DuluthPort.com.