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Brett Milutin has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Galveston Wharves. The 25-year-old port employee will continue to hold the position of Executive Deputy Port Director. This appointment reflects, according to Rodger Rees, the port director and CEO, Milutin’s growing responsibility in overseeing daily port operations. These include, among other things, the management of the free trade zone, crisis management, dredging projects, and collaboration with partners, including tenants and various government agencies.
Milutin began his career at the port in 2001 as a police officer at the Port of Galveston. Over the years, he has held various positions, including security officer, harbor master, and director of port operations. For his contributions, he was honored in 2018 by the U.S. Coast Guard with a public service award after significantly contributing to the rapid reopening of the port complex following Hurricane Harvey. He also received another award for his support in repatriating cruise crew members to their home countries during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In January 2021, Milutin was promoted to Executive Deputy Port Director. He commented on his new role by saying:
“It is an honor to serve as Chief Operating Officer, and I am proud to work with the dedicated staff and port partners who make the success of the Port of Galveston possible. I look forward to continuing to support the remarkable growth and exceptional operational performance of this port.”
Port of Galveston: A Significant maritime center
The Port of Galveston, located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, has been a thriving maritime trade center since 1825. Covering an area of 340 acres and just 45 minutes from open waters, the port provides the necessary infrastructure to support growing businesses in the areas of cruising, freight, trade, and shipbuilding.
The port ranks as the fourth largest cruise port in the U.S. and has four cruise terminals. For the year 2026, the port forecasts 446 departures and 3.9 million passenger movements, setting a new record for the port. Additionally, the port leases and manages a variety of deep-water cargo facilities in Galveston Harbor, which ranks among the 40 busiest waterways for freight in the U.S. The Galveston Wharves operates as a self-sustaining municipal entity with the goal of generating port revenues and reinvesting them to provide economic growth, jobs, and tax revenue for the Galveston community.
