Thomas Saunders is Director of Government Affairs for Ports America. Ports America is the largest independent marine terminal operator and stevedore company in the North America, providing terminal management services in more than 42 ports and 80 locations. Thomas develops and executes a government affairs strategy for major Ports America sites such as Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT).
Prior to joining Ports America in 2017, Thomas most recently worked for Congressman Donald Payne Jr, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has over 7 years Capitol Hill experience. In his various roles on Capitol Hill, Thomas achieved favorable policy outcomes through strategic partnerships, relationship building and stakeholder outreach. He possesses immense institutional knowledge and an intimate understanding of the federal legislative process. His past issue portfolio includes transportation and port infrastructure, homeland security, labor and workforce development, appropriations, military and defense.
Thomas is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a New Jersey native. Thomas is an active member on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Council on Port Performance Workforce Development Implementation Team, National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) as well as the New Jersey State Society. He currently resides in Washington, DC.