Port Director Geno Marconi placed on paid leave, PDA won't say why or for how long

Jeff McMenemy, Portsmouth Herald

PORTSMOUTH – Longtime Port Authority Director Geno Marconi has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Pease Development Authority (PDA).

Paul Brean, the executive director of the PDA, released a statement this week confirming the news, but otherwise had little to say about why the decision was made.

Geno Marconi, Director of Ports and Harbors, steps up to take his spot at a business roundtable discussion at the Annual NASTO Conference held in Portsmouth on Monday, June 9, 2014. Deb Cram photo
Geno Marconi, Director of Ports and Harbors, steps up to take his spot at a business roundtable discussion at the Annual NASTO Conference held in Portsmouth on Monday, June 9, 2014. Deb Cram photo

Brean, in the statement, said “Director Marconi is on paid administrative leave for an undetermined period of time.”

“Because of the confidentiality requirements of New Hampshire personnel laws, we cannot comment any further at this time,” Brean said.

PDA spokesperson Tiffany Eddy said Myles Greenway is now the Acting Port Director.

Attempts Thursday morning to reach Marconi for comment were not successful.

Geno Marconi walks between American flags during President Joe Biden's visit to the New Hampshire Port Authority in Porstmouth April 19, 2022.
Geno Marconi walks between American flags during President Joe Biden's visit to the New Hampshire Port Authority in Porstmouth April 19, 2022.

Marconi has long tenure at Port Authority

Marconi started working for the New Hampshire Port Authority as a consultant in 1984, and became the operations manager there in December 1996.

Marconi, a Portsmouth resident, was named director of the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors in December 2010.

His current salary as Port Director is $153,923, Eddy said.

The Division of Ports and Harbors “maintains and develops (N.H.) waterways to help support and grow commerce and freight shipments through the state’s ports, including on the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor,” according to their website.

They also “aid in the development of salt water fisheries and related industries,” according to the website.

NH Port Authority Director Geno Marconi escorts NH Senators Jeanne Shahee, left, and Maggie Hassan after a quick tour relating to the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River projects Jan. 31, 2022.
NH Port Authority Director Geno Marconi escorts NH Senators Jeanne Shahee, left, and Maggie Hassan after a quick tour relating to the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River projects Jan. 31, 2022.

Marconi has been working recently to bring American Cruse Lines ships into the Port of New Hampshire, which is located off Market Street.

Earlier this year Marconi told the PDA that the small ships cruise line was planning stops in Portsmouth on July 8, July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 17, Oct. 3, and Oct. 28.

Attempts to reach members of the PDA’s Board of Directors for comment Thursday about Marconi were not immediately successful.

This story may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Port Director Geno Marconi placed on paid leave, PDA won't say why

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