Western Australia port operator Fremantle Ports has confirmed the sad news of the sudden passing of Michael Parker, its Chief Executive Officer, on Wednesday, April 3.
Parker, aged 52, was appointed CEO of Fremantle Ports in May 2021 after a long career with Alcoa, which culminated in him assuming the role of Managing Director/Chairman of Alcoa Alumina and Alcoa of Australia between 2015 and 2019.
Fremantle Ports said in a statement that, in his three years as CEO, Parker led an ambitious agenda of change that included a major capital works program to upgrade port assets and a suite of organisational change initiatives "directed at ensuring the organisation was prepared for a dynamic future in the decades ahead."
Parker was previously Director Business Development and Marketing and Vice-President Alcoa Materials Management in Knoxville, Tennessee, a role with responsibility for the company's North American road, rail, and shipping transportation. He has held a range of executive and non-executive directorships and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Parker leaves behind his wife Wendy and his four children Ben, Jackson, Sophie, and Dan.
We at Baird Maritime offer our sincerest condolences to Mr Parker's family and the personnel at Fremantle Ports.