The Global Transportation Hub has seen a change to its Board of Directors as Dr. Sandip Lalli has replaced Captain Gordon Houston, who is retiring.

Dr. Lalli has spent much of her career exploring innovative paths to international trade. Now she is helping the GTH consider new opportunities for development, specifically in value-added agriculture.

“The GTH can be a connecting organization,” says Lalli, who joined the GTH Board of Directors in December 2016. “We can figure out ‘here are the commodities and here is the potential.’ We have the land, the logistics hub, some co-location possibilities, the railway, good access to labour and a stable government. This is where we can bring together partners who can create a win.

“Supply-chain security and transparency around farming practices are tremendously important,” adds Lalli. “Once something is produced, is it secure? Can I have traceability on the product? Can I have enough inputs to sustain the supply chain? The GTH can provide a dedicated location with rail access right there and the ability to get to port.”

The GTH recognizes and thanks Captain Gordon Houston for his many years of service on the GTH board of directors. One of the founding members of the original board, Captain Houston elected to retire with the end of this fiscal year. He was instrumental in merging the Vancouver ports, and ended his career as the President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, the largest and busiest sea port in Canada.

“Gordon’s 40 years of experience in shipping and international trade will be much missed,” said GTH board chair Doug Moen, “but equally missed will be his professionalism on the board, and his advocacy on behalf of the GTH. I know he has taken a great deal of pride watching the hub grow from canola fields, to a thriving facility with multiple clients. We wish Gordon all the very best with this next chapter in his life.”