Maritime across the Americas and the Caribbean. Since 2010.
The Certified Port Executive™ Program is operated by Group Macdonnell — the organization that brought structured professional education to the port and maritime sector across the Americas and the Caribbean over fifteen years ago and continues to set the standard.
The program that built a generation of port leaders.
CPE was created to address a gap that every port executive recognized but no institution had filled: there was no structured program that gave mid-career professionals the knowledge and tools to lead across all port functions — operations, commerce, regulation, and the horizon ahead.
Since the first cohort in 2010, the program has educated over 25,000 learners and credentialed approximately 1,000 alumni now working at port authorities, marine terminals, shipping lines, logistics organizations, and government agencies across 14+ countries — 57% in the United States, 35% in Canada, 8% beyond.
The program runs multiple cohorts each year — delivered live via Zoom and in-person at select locations. Format, content, and faculty are reviewed each year to reflect the current state of the industry.
First cohort delivered. 24 participants from 12 ports.
CEU accreditation awarded.
25,000 learners milestone reached across all programs.
Curriculum expanded to 18 modules.
Alumni network passes 500 credentialed professionals.
Adelena Chandler Leadership Award established.
2026 cohort now enrolling.
The organization behind the program.
Group Macdonnell is a maritime education and professional development organization serving the Americas and the Caribbean. The CPE program is the organization’s flagship initiative — one of several education programs designed for the port and maritime sector.
The organization maintains relationships with port authorities, terminal operators, government agencies, and industry associations across Canada and the United States, and draws on that network to keep the curriculum current and the faculty drawn from active and recently retired executive roles across the industry.
15+
Years operating
~1,000
CPE alumni
25k+
Learners educated
235+
Organizations reached
Taught by the people who ran the port.
CPE Executive Faculty are accomplished port, terminal, transportation, logistics, security, and maritime professionals who join the program to share specialized expertise, real-world case studies, and executive-level insights drawn from leadership roles across the industry.
Port authority CEOs & executive directors
Governance, strategy, stakeholder management
Marine terminal operators & presidents
Operations, throughput, labour relations
Harbour masters & marine operations leads
Vessel traffic, safety, marine security
Government regulators & transport officials
Maritime law, compliance, environmental policy
Supply-chain & logistics executives
Intermodal networks, inland connectivity
Maritime security directors
ISPS, facility security, port resilience
Capt. Jeff Monroe
●Program Director, CPE
Capt. Monroe has led the CPE program through its most significant period of growth, overseeing the expansion to 18 modules, the addition of the CEU accreditation, and the development of the alumni network infrastructure.
His background spans operational and executive roles in the maritime sector across the Americas and the Caribbean, and he brings that experience directly into program design and faculty selection. He is the primary point of contact for faculty, curriculum questions, and institutional partnerships.
For a full primer on what the Certified Port Executive credential covers, read the program explainer. →
Ready to apply?
Eight cohorts in 2026 — Zoom and in-person. Five days, the whole port.