BND Appoints William Dietrich Port Director and CEO

William Dietrich becomes the ninth port director and CEO in the Port of Brownsville’s 88-year history

The Brownsville Navigation District (“BND”) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint William Dietrich as port director and CEO at their regular board meeting on Aug. 7.

Dietrich becomes the ninth port director and CEO in the port’s 88-year history. In December, the BND Board named Dietrich interim port director and CEO while the navigation district conducted a national search for a new port director and CEO.

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Dietrich and commend him on the progress happening at the Port of Brownsville,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. “The unprecedented achievements at the port in recent years have positioned us for continued success. I am certain under Mr. Dietrich’s leadership the port will advance as a beacon of prosperity for the future.”

“I am honored to continue serving the Port of Brownsville and would like to thank our Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners for their confidence,” said Port Director and CEO William Dietrich. “Alongside our port staff and under the guidance of the BND Board we will continue to carry out the port’s mission to bring economic opportunities for the benefit of our communities.”

Before joining the port as Chief of Police in July 2022, Dietrich, a U.S. Army Veteran, served the city of Brownsville Police Department for 26 years as part of the Uniformed Services Command, Investigative Services Command, Special Investigations Unit, and the Hazardous Devices Unit before retiring as Commander.

Dietrich is a graduate of the Canadian Police College, and his training includes certification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Bomb Technician School and the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Texas at Brownsville (now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) and a master’s degree in leadership management from Western Governor’s University.