New Leadership at the Port of Oswego Authority

OSWEGO N.Y — Tom Drumm, the former minority leader of the Oswego County Legislature, has been selected to head the Port of Oswego Authority, making him one of the youngest leaders overseeing a major port in the United States.

Drumm, 33, began his role as executive director and CEO on Monday.

A fifth-generation Oswego native, Drumm said he is honored to return home at a pivotal time for the region, especially as the Port of Oswego is expected to support the Micron semiconductor project in Onondaga County.

“I think it’s important to recognize that we have a competitive advantage,” Drumm said. “The port is capable of handling this project right now. But ideally, I would like to be able to scale up some of our infrastructure to be as best of a partner as possible.”

He added that while the port is prepared to meet current demand, long-term success will require strategic investment.

“We’re equipped to handle a lot of what Micron is potentially going to be doing today,” Drumm said. “But long term, to be a better partner, we need to modernize a little bit.”

Drumm said a key part of that modernization effort will be strengthening relationships at the state level.

“Strategically, it’s going to be a big focus on strengthening our relationship with the state legislature, the governor’s office, and the state as a whole,” he said. “We’re a state-chartered public authority, and that relationship has been critical throughout our history, especially going back to the 1960s when we saw a high level of state investment in the Port of Oswego.”

Looking ahead, Drumm said the port’s future will depend on continued collaboration and reinvestment, particularly as new economic opportunities emerge.

“As we move into this next chapter with the Micron project, with partners like Novelis, and even the potential for new developments like nuclear energy, we want to have conversations with New York State about reinvestment in the Port of Oswego,” he said.

Drumm replaces Thomas Schneider, who served as interim executive director following the retirement of longtime leader William Scriber at the end of 2024.

The port remains a major economic driver for the region, moving cargo such as grain, aluminum, and potash by ship, rail, and truck. A 2023 study found the port generated a $513 million economic impact over five years and supported more than 2,200 jobs.

Drumm said his focus moving forward is clear. That is to position the Port of Oswego for long-term growth while ensuring it remains competitive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.