Milutin Named COO / Executive Deputy Port Director

Milutin Named COO / Executive Deputy Port Director

June 17, 2026

GALVESTON, TX (June 16, 2026) – Brett Milutin has been named chief operating officer (COO) at the Galveston Wharves. The 25-year port employee will continue to carry the title of executive deputy port director.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “This new title reflects the important and growing role that Brett plays in overseeing day-to-day port operations, including the port’s foreign trade zone, crisis response and recovery, dredging projects, and collaboration with port partners, including tenants and federal, state and local agencies, to name a few.”

Milutin began his port career in 2001 as a Port of Galveston police officer. He also has worked at the port as a facilities security officer, harbormaster and director of port operations.

In 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard recognized Milutin with a public service commendation for his role in quickly re-opening the Galveston Bay port complex after Hurricane Harvey. He also received a public service commendation for his work assisting cruise crewmembers in returning to their home countries following the COVID-19 cruise industry shutdown in 2020.

Rees promoted him to executive deputy port director in January 2021.

Milutin said, “I’m honored to serve as chief operating officer and proud to work alongside the dedicated employees and port partners who make the Port of Galveston successful. I look forward to continuing to support this port’s phenomenal growth and exceptional operational performance.”

About the Port of Galveston

Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo, commercial and shipbuilding businesses. 

The port is the fourth-ranked cruise home port in the U.S. with four cruise terminals. In 2026 the port forecasts 446 sailings and 3.9 million passenger movements, a new record for the port. 

The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues. www.portofgalveston.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Thomas, Galveston Wharves Communications Director