Inside the Port of Beaumont: Operations, Military Command, and History

The McFaddin-Ward House is excited to host a panel presentation on the Port of Beaumont, which is the #1 strategic military port in the nation and recognized as the busiest military port in the world. The Port of Beaumont has a tonnage ranking in the top ten of the United States with over 600,000 square feet of covered storage, bulk cargo terminals, and 80 acres of open storage. Three major rail carriers, five major roadways, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and global steamship lines feed into the Port of Beaumont. The discovery of oil at Spindletop impacted the history and expansion of the Port of Beaumont dating back to the early 1920s.

Panelists Include: 

Chris Fisher, Port Director

As Port Director, Fisher is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the port, currently the eighth largest in the nation in terms of tonnage and the top strategic port in the nation for handling military cargo. Fisher is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Foreign Trade Zone of Southeast Texas, Inc. and currently serves as Vice President of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Port Authority Advisory Committee. Fisher is also the chairmen of the American Association of Port Authorities’ National Defense Committee.

 Lieutenant Colonel Tyler Olsen, Commander 842ndTransportation Battalion 

LTC Tyler Olsen began his military career as an Air Force Airmen in 1993. He last served as the Acting Director of Operational Energy-Resilience in the Office of the Acting Secretary of Defense for Sustainment (Environment and Energy Resilience Office). His combat and operational assignments include Operation Iraqi Freedom 1, 2003; Operation New Dawn 2011; Operation United Assistance, 2014.  A few of his awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, Air force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1OLC), Southwest Asia Service Medal (4 Campaign Stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Judith W. Linsley, Historian

Judith Linsley was formerly the Curator of Interpretation and Education at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum and now serves as the museum’s Research Assistant. Judy is also the past Director of the Center for History and Culture at Lamar University. She has authored or co-authored numerous historical works, including the prize-winning Giant Under the Hill: A History of the Spindletop Oil Discovery.