Port brings aboard Monica Sturgis to lead agency’s Human Resources Division

HR Professional Brings 20-Plus Years of Experience to the Post

Monica Sturgis this week began her career at The Port of Virginia after having accepted the lead position in the port’s Human Resources Division in August.

As chief human resources officer, Strugis is responsible for the development and implementation of human resources needs and plans across the three port entities: the Virginia Port Authority, Virginia International Terminals, and Hampton Roads Chassis Pool II.

“Monica brings a significant amount of experience, innovative thinking and value to the organization,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “One of our long-term goals is to develop The Port of Virginia into one of Virginia’s best places to work and we know she’ll play a significant role in achieving that goal. We are fortunate to be able to call her a Port of Virginia colleague.”

A large part of her effort focuses on developing and transforming colleagues across the enterprise into a competitive advantage and ensuring the overall quality of our workplace. In addition, she is a member of the port’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The SLT is composed of the organization’s division leaders and is responsible for helping to chart the port’s future by ensuring its sustainability, efficiency, competitiveness, and being a statewide catalyst for economic investment and job creation.

With more than 20 years of experience in the human resources field, Sturgis is an accomplished professional who has led the improvement of several organizations and their human capital. Her experience includes positions with Diaego (The Pillsbury Co.), Pfizer, Inc., Boehringer-Ingelheim, and BASF. Most recently, she was the human resource director of Technology & Engineering for Bridgestone America, Inc.

Sturgis earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Tuskegee University, and served as a member of the university’s board of trustees. She began her graduate education at Columbia University and finished her work at the University of Minnesota in a joint program. In that program she earned a master’s degree in education and a specialist certification in both in curriculum and instruction and organizational development with focus in human resources development.