Peter Hirthe, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Peter Hirthe is the Great Lakes Regional Representative & an International Trade Specialist for the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), a wholly owned government corporation within the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this role, he partners with Great Lakes ports, terminal operators, carriers, and shippers, acting as a catalyst to spur growth in maritime trade through the St. Lawrence Seaway. He works collaboratively with the Canadian Seaway (SLSMC) and Great Lakes stakeholders under the HWY H2O marketing umbrella. Prior to coming to the GLS, he held the position of Trade Development Representative for the Port of Milwaukee. Mr. Hirthe utilizes his experience and practical understanding of the Great Lakes bi-national maritime system to promote the unique combination of cargo handling capabilities and multi-modal connectivity that each port within the system offers to shippers. Frequently his role is one of an education resource, helping shippers to fully realize the benefits of utilizing the St. Lawrence Seaway; a safe, reliable, efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable maritime supply chain serving the heartland of North America. Mr. Hirthe also brings practical and applicable experience to his Seaway role from his decades working to support the Midwest construction and manufacturing sectors in project management and process improvement. This work experience helped shape his strong advocacy for increased maritime commerce through the St. Lawrence Seaway in support not only of the manufacturing and construction sectors but of renewable energy projects and agricultural exports throughout the Great Lakes region. Mr. Hirthe grew up in the Great Lakes port city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Marquette University.