News & Updates

Florida Trend again names four port directors as among state’s “500 Most Influential Business Leaders”

Four seaport directors once again made the list of Florida Trend’s prestigious “500 Most Influential Business Leaders” list.

To choose the leaders, Florida Trend accepts nominations from all across the state. Elected officials are not included, and the list is re-evaluated each year.

“The passion, interest and desire that these influentials have for improving Florida perhaps will inspire all of us to do a little more,” said Florida Trend editor David Denor. “Their hard work, focus, dedication, sacrifice and desire for making Florida a better place to live and work provide a glimmer of hope during this otherwise gloomy time.”

The Florida Ports Council congratulates our port directors who made this year’s list. 

Paul Anderson
PRESIDENT & CEO, PORT TAMPA BAY, TAMPA

CEO of Port Tampa Bay since 2011, Anderson runs what he calls “the largest economic engine in West-Central Florida.”

Port Tampa Bay is the most diversified port in Florida, ranks among the top 20 ports in the U.S. in annual tonnage and supports some 80,000 jobs, according to recent data compiled by the American Association of Port Authorities.

Anderson graduated from college with a journalism degree and worked for Florida automotive giant JM Family Enterprises for a decade earlier in his career.

The past chairman of the Florida Ports Council, Anderson also has served on the Federal Maritime Commission and on the U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s Human Trafficking Advisory Committee.

“My favorite part of my current job is envisioning and executing generational infrastructure projects that create long-term economic opportunity and jobs,” says Anderson.

An avid surfer since childhood, Anderson also is an advocate for Florida’s environment and management of its water resources …. Read More

Eric Green
CEO, JAXPORT, JACKSONVILLE

JAXPORT is Florida’s largest container port and the nation’s second-busiest vehicle-handling port. Cargo activity there generates 138,000 jobs in Florida and more than $31 billion in annual economic output. Green, a Jacksonville native, worked for the city as deputy chief administrative officer and was the port’s chief lobbyist for more than a decade. He joined JaxPort in 2005 and was named CEO in 2017

EDUCATION: St. Andrews Presbyterian College (BA)
PROFESSIONAL EVOLUTION: From my time in city government to my role at the port, everything I do is about relationships. Treating people how you want to be treated pays off in the long run.
SOMETHING SURPRISING: Family is everything to me. My wife, April, and I have a blended family with seven children.
FLORIDA ISSUE: Building and maintaining world-class infrastructure
ALTERNATE CAREER? College basketball coach
STAYING FIT: JaxPort’s employee wellness program inspires me to make better choices …. Read More

Juan Kuryla
DIRECTOR, PORTMIAMI, MIAMI

Kuryla’s leadership at PortMiami, the largest cruise port in the world, will be tested this year and beyond as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cruise industry worldwide has been particularly hard-hit by the health crisis. However, the port’s $1.3-billion infrastructure improvement plan is moving forward with new cruise ship terminals and deepening of its shipping channels.

Kuryla joined PortMiami as assistant director in 1998 after serving in a number of executive roles for Miami-Dade County. In 2009, he became deputy and was named director of PortMiami in 2014.

In its 2019 annual report released in January, PortMiami chalked up another record year with a 22% increase over 2018 in cruise passenger movements, reaching an all-time high of 6,824,000 cruise ship passengers.

PortMiami generates more than 207,000 jobs and has an annual economic impact of some $27 billion on the greater South Florida area …. Read More

John Murray
PORT DIRECTOR & CEO, CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY, PORT CANAVERAL

Prior to being named director and CEO, Murray was CEO of Lykes Lines and the global shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. Port director since 2016 and a Coast Guard licensed captain, Murray has received generally high marks from the Port Canaveral commissioners. Port Commissioner Jerry Allender says he believes Murray “is the highest quality CEO that we have had” at Port Canaveral.

During Murray’s tenure, the port has signed two long-term contracts — with Carnival Cruise Line and Disney — that he says will strengthen its long-term financial stability and attract outside investment from businesses associated with the cruise industry.

Murray is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in nautical science. He is also a longtime board member of the New York-based National Cargo Bureau, a non-profit organization that assists the U.S. Coast Guard with monitoring and improving maritime safety regulations …. Read More