Ted Gayk, Assistant Operations Manager at CP&O in Norfolk, Virginia, has spent his entire career in the marine transportation industry. Upon graduating college in 1978, he set out to begin his profession -- not in the transportation industry, but as a teacher.
“After college I was looking for teaching jobs in the local schools,” he recalled. “Then I heard that a new terminal operator was taking over the Newport News Marine Terminal, and that caught my attention.” He soon signed on as a documentation clerk before advancing to Pier Foreman and eventually Operations Manager.
Ted joined RGZ, Inc., which would later become CP&O, in November 1993. Throughout his career he has continually pushed himself to learn, develop his skills, and take on new responsibilities. Having roles that range from General Manager of the Warehouse Division and Operations Manager to General Manager and Senior Vessel Superintendent, Ted has seen it all.
Currently, as Assistant Operations Manager for CP&O, he is tasked with the daily coordinating and planning of vessel operations within the terminal and steamship lines. This includes placing daily labor orders for each vessel and supervising and managing ship superintendents and labor.
“I enjoy this job,” Ted shared. “It’s very rewarding to see those daily plans unfold and be successful.”
Though no plan is without a hitch.
“Every day is a learning experience,” Ted admitted. “We have to be flexible out here and adapt to unexpected challenges.” Challenges that can range from vessel delays and extreme weather to equipment failures and labor shortages. Ensuring everyone has a safe working environment is yet another challenge Ted faces, one which he and CP&O have risen to meet on a daily basis.
Ted takes great pride in his work at CP&O. One of his favorite aspects of the job is getting to meet and interact with people from different areas of the industry and from all over the world. But at the end of the day, it’s the employees at CP&O who make the job an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
“Everyone here works together by communicating and supporting each other,” Ted said. “It’s a great pleasure working with our team at CP&O.”