Duluth, Minn. USA – The Duluth Seaway Port Authority announced today that Grand Rapids native Jayson Hron has been named Director of Communications and Marketing. He returns to Minnesota to join the leadership team effective February 1, 2019.
Hron (pronounced ‘RŌHN’), brings an extensive background to the position, having served in a variety of public relations, copywriting, media relations, brand management and marketing capacities. Since 2013, Hron has been a communications manager for USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, Colo. For eight years prior, he led communications efforts as senior public relations specialist in the financial services industry, for the ING Group in St. Cloud, Minn.
After beginning his career as a sportswriter, editor and page designer with Murphy McGinnis Newspapers, he served as communications director for the United States Hockey League and, later, assistant director of public relations in the athletics department at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), earning a pair of awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jayson back to Minnesota and to our leadership team,” said Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director Deb DeLuca. “The diversity of his expertise coupled with his passion for this community and northeastern Minnesota will be a huge asset not only in managing our strategic communications and branding initiatives but also in supporting the Port Authority’s industrial development plans going forward.”
In addition to his expertise in strategic communications, Hron’s skill sets include graphic design, video production and social media management. Since 1999, he also has been a freelance contributor to a number of media outlets including MinnPost.com, ESPN.com, St. Cloud Times, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Arizona Republic. A member of the Society for International Hockey Research board of directors, Hron has a bachelor’s degree in communication from UMD and a master’s in mass communications with a public relations and advertising emphasis from St. Cloud State University.
“My heart never left Duluth,” said Hron in accepting the position. “The Port Authority is uniquely equipped to help drive the economic growth, to define the future of northeastern Minnesota. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be part of an organization that helps the city thrive.”
In accepting the communications and marketing post at the Port Authority, Hron will succeed Adele Yorde, who has served the organization as public relations director since April 2008.
Hron has volunteered at the Rocky Mountain Field Institute and the Care and Share Food Bank in southern Colorado. He also has been a volunteer coach for youth baseball, softball and lacrosse. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters. After February 1, Hron can be reached at 218.727.8525, ext. 109 or jhron@duluthport.com.
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The Duluth Seaway Port Authority (DSPA) is an independent, public agency created by the state legislature in 1955 to expand and improve facilities at the Port of Duluth-Superior in anticipation of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. Two years later, with $10 million in public funding, the Port Authority created the 120-acre Clure Public Marine Terminal, the port’s only general cargo facility. The Port Authority’s mission is to foster domestic and international trade, facilitate regional industrial development and advocate for maritime interests. DSPA also owns and manages multiple properties, including the Clure Terminal, a 26-acre Clure Expansion, Erie Pier and Duluth Airpark. The Port of Duluth-Superior is the largest tonnage port on the Great Lakes and continues to rank among the top 25 ports in the U.S., handling an average of 35 million short tons of cargo and hosting nearly 900 vessel visits each year.