People news from SC Ports, RTD-Denver and STV

South Carolina Ports has selected Patrick McCrory as chief operating officer, a role in which he will lead SC Ports' more than 500-person operations team, which is responsible for running container terminals, roll-on/roll-off and breakbulk operations, intermodal and two rail-served inland ports. He will begin his new role on Oct. 5. McCrory joins SC Ports from Palmetto Railways, where he spent more than a decade in various leadership positions, including vice president, chief commercial officer, chief operations officer and, most recently, president and CEO. McCrory previously also held management positions with CSX Intermodal Terminals Inc. and APM Terminals. "Patrick has worked alongside SC Ports as a longtime rail partner, helping to enhance our state’s freight rail infrastructure and grow cargo volumes at our port," SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said in a press release. "He brings a focus on safety and reliability, a strong understanding of our business, a commitment to excellent service and an innovative approach to logistics that will serve our customers — and our team — very well as we work to grow above market."

STV today announced that Khaled Naja has joined the firm's advisory board. Naja is a globally recognized infrastructure executive with decades of leadership advising executive teams and boards on strategic decisions that shape infrastructure investments and organizational performance, STV officials said in a press release. Naja currently serves as CEO of Core Group Partners, where he supports global infrastructure, transportation and capital development strategies. He has held executive leadership roles at both private- and public-sector companies as well as leadership positions with the Construction Management Association of America.

The Regional Transportation District-Denver has named Candace Smith chief communications and engagement officer, effective Sept. 8. Smith has over 25 years of experience spanning higher education, public transportation and journalism; most recently she was senior associate vice chancellor for public affairs and strategic communications at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her career has also included leadership roles at The George Washington University and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. In her new role, Smith will oversee RTD's communications and engagement department, which encompasses community engagement, public and media relations, marketing and customer care functions, RTD officials said in a press release.