People news from Virginia Port Authority, HDR and Koppers

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) board last week unanimously approved Sarah McCoy as CEO. McCoy served as VPA's general counsel from 2017 until 2022, when she assumed the role of chief administrative officer. In January, McCoy was tapped to serve as interim CEO and executive director. Notably, McCoy led the team that renegotiated the port's lease for Virginia International Gateway, VPA officials said in a press release. Additionally, she has been an integral part of the team behind the port's $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program, they said.

HDR Program Management Director Erin Slayton has been elected chair of WTS International. She was sworn in on May 7 at the WTS International Annual Conference. Slayton's two-year term as chair follows her two years as vice chair of the 10,000-member organization that seeks to advance women in transportation. Slayton has been involved with WTS for much of her 25-year career, and after moving to South Carolina in 2019, she helped charter the state's chapter. Slayton is the fourth HDR leader to serve as chair of WTS International.

Koppers Inc. has hired Eric Brenner as chief financial officer and treasurer, effective May 26. Brenner will lead all aspects of the company's finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, tax and investor relations functions. He most recently served as senior vice president and CFO for NOVA Chemicals Corp. Brad Pearce, who has served as interim CFO since January, will transition back to his role as the company's chief accounting officer on a full-time basis. Koppers is a global provider of treated wood products, including railroad ties.