New Florida Ports Couincil Chairman Named
Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson has been elected chairman of the Florida Ports Council, an association of the state’s 15 public seaports, headquartered in Tallahassee. The association represents the voice of the port industry in Florida and provides leadership, on both the state and federal levels, in key initiatives that bolster the state’s maritime interests and seaborne trade, domestically and internationally.
“I am honored and humbled by the confidence my fellow port directors have placed in me. “Florida’s seaports are vital economic drivers in this state,” Paul Anderson, Tampa Bay Port president and CEO, said. As incoming chairman, I look forward to working with them and all of our world-class ports in continuing to drive economic development and job creation for the state of Florida.”
As president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, Anderson oversees the customer-driven, strategic business focus of the port in working with stakeholders to develop and manage marine terminals while also supporting infrastructure for the benefit of the regional economy.
In serving as chairman of the Florida Ports Council, Anderson will utilize his expertise to lead the Florida Ports Council, representing Florida’s network of seaports, which generate substantial economic contributions to every region of the state. Additionally, he is well poised to help bolster Port Tampa Bay as a leading port of the future.
“Paul Anderson has been an invaluable member of the Florida Ports Council, both as legislative co-chair and as vice chairman. His extensive experience at the state and federal levels will be a great asset to our organization,” said Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. “We look forward to working with federal and state leaders on improving freight funding and policy and to continuing our leadership role in positioning Florida as a leader in the global marketplace.”
Anderson has dedicated his work to the success and advancement of the nation’s seaports. A former federal maritime commissioner, he has held numerous other high-profile leadership positions in the public and private sectors over the past three decades—all of which have served to make him an extremely qualified leader in the maritime industry. Prior to joining Port Tampa Bay, Anderson served as the chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Port Authority.
Additionally, he currently serves as elected chairman of the Florida Ports Financing Commission and has held several leadership roles within the American Association of Port Authorities. In addition, Anderson currently serves on the board of directors for both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida.