Gov. Mark Sanford appointed a retired Greenville executive Monday to fill a seat on the state Ports Authority board that has been vacant since May.

The interim board member, David J. Posek, is the retired president of Lockheed Martin's Aircraft and Logistics Center. Posek, who retired earlier this year, had been an executive for Lockheed Martin since 1995. Previously, he worked for General Electric Co. for nearly 30 years.

His appointment must be confirmed by the state Senate.

"David will bring invaluable perspective to the ports authority in a couple of ways," Sanford said. "As a businessman, he understands the importance of running an organization efficiently and effectively. Also, with his background in the manufacturing industry, David understands that strong ports are key to growing our economy, particularly our manufacturing sector."

Posek was tapped to fill a seat that has been empty since May, when Greenville textile executive Mark Kent quit the board. Kent's appointment to the SPA stalled after he questioned the authority's plan to sell valuable property on Daniel Island, once proposed as the site for a new mega-port.

The SPA did not mention Posek's appointment at its monthly board meeting Monday.