Wilmington, NC
International Representative for the International Longshoremen’s Association, District Vice President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and President of ILA Local 1426
Appointed By Governor Roy Cooper
Term Expires 2027
Gregory L. Washington was appointed to the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors by Governor Roy Cooper and his term expires in 2025.
Mr. Washington is the International Representative for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). In this capacity, he has led many philanthropic efforts which benefited all the citizens of Wilmington and especially low-income citizens.
Born and raised in Wilmington North Carolina, he lived in the Hillcrest public housing. At the age of 12, his family moved to the Jervay public housing. He is an outstanding product of the city and public housing.
Mr. Washington graduated from John T Hoggard High School in 1973. After graduation, he enrolled in the welding program at Cape Fear Technical Institute. He was then hired by Babcock & Wilcox Company where he worked as an Assembler/Welder. When Babcock & Wilcox Company was forced to sell off their assets to pay for the cleanup at the Three-Mile Island Nuclear Plant in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, the Wilmington facility was closed. He returned to Cape Fear Technical Institute and begin his studies in photography and later enrolled in Shaw University Centers of Alternative Programs in Education (C.A.P.E). to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
When the Gulf War broke out there was a large demand by the International Longshoremen’s Association ( ILA) for dockworkers around the country to load ships with supplies and ammunition for the US troops in operation Desert Storm. In the spring of 1989 he boarded his first vessel as a longshoreman.
Three years later he ran for the Executive Board of ILA and three years after that he became the chairman. He later became Vice President of ILA Local 1426 and currently serves as International Representative for the International Longshoremen’s Association, District Vice President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and President of ILA Local 1426.
He is married to Geraline R. Washington a retired New Hanover County teacher. He has received numerous awards and recognitions. Greg also served on the Board for New Hanover County Community Action, the Loan Review Board for the City of Wilmington. He currently serves on the New Hanover County Port, Waterway & Beach Commission, and the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board.
