Port industry veteran Lori A. Baer has been appointed director of communications of the American Association of Port Authorities. "We are pleased to be able to bring to this key position an experienced professional with such familiarity with the goals of ports throughout the Western Hemisphere," said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the AAPA. Baer began her port industry career at AAPA in 1982, initially as executive assistant to the president and then as director of membership services. She was involved in the development of the AAPA's highly successful education and training programs. In 1985, Baer began a 12-year stint at the Port of Miami, serving four years as marketing and public relations assistant and the final eight of those years as director of promotions and advertising.