Florida Ports Council Names Doug Wheeler as President

Wheeler brings more than a decade of governmental affairs and association leadership at both the state and federal levels to the Florida Ports Council. He held previous positions with Associated Builders and Contractors, and more recently at the Florida Chamber of Commerce where he served as Vice President of Grassroots Advocacy and Political Action Development. Under Wheeler’s leadership and management of Florida’s largest federation of businesses, associations, and local chambers of commerce - encompassing more than 139,000 grassroots members - the Chamber worked aggressively and effectively to represent the interests of business in Florida.

“Doug’s extensive political action experience, especially at the grassroots level, is a perfect fit for helping Florida’s 14 deepwater seaports continue to educate our residents and leaders about the important economic benefits and infrastructure needs related to ocean transport,” said Phillip C. Allen, Chairman of the Florida Ports Council and Director of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida.

“I can’t think of a more exciting time to join the remarkable team at the Florida Ports Council and engage in an industry that is so vital to Florida’s economy and the future of this great state”, said Wheeler. “Florida’s 14 seaports are an economic engine providing jobs, commerce and revenue and will play a pivotal role in Florida’s economic recovery as it relates to international trade, the cruise industry and the effective flow of goods to consumers.”

Wheeler graduated from Florida State University in 1994 with a degree in Political Science, and an emphasis in Political Communications. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife Ami and their two children.

The Tallahassee-based council is a nonprofit professional association that provides leadership, advocacy and information on seaport-related issues before the legislative and executive branches of state and federal government.