Port Tampa Bay President & CEO, Paul Anderson, was named chair of the Florida Ocean Alliance. The appointment was announced on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the board meeting of the Florida Ocean Alliance. Anderson joins the leadership team for a two-year term.
Florida Ocean Alliance is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to bringing together the private sector, academia, and nonprofit research organizations in Florida to protect and enhance Florida’s coastal and ocean resources for continued social and economic benefits. The alliance features a wide variety of members who represent industry, non-profit and academic groups. In his role as chair, Anderson will help the organization achieve its vision of positioning Florida as a national and global leader in ocean and coastal research, conservation, education, and responsible economic development.
“It is an honor to lead the Florida Ocean Alliance as its new chair and a privilege to join such a knowledgeable Board of Directors. I look forward to drawing on the expertise of the diverse members of the alliance to come up with innovative solutions that will protect and enhance Florida’s coastal and ocean resources for continued social and economic benefits. ,” explained Anderson.
On behalf of the Florida Ocean Alliance, Vice President Laura DiBella of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association warmly welcomed Paul Anderson to the Florida Ocean Alliance.
“We are very pleased to have Paul Anderson join our leadership team at the Florida Ocean Alliance. His depth of maritime industry makes him exceptionally prepared for this position. His work with environmental policy issues and knowledge of the maritime industry as we recover from the COVID pandemic will be especially important as the organization seeks to find policy solutions for conserving Florida’s precious oceans and coasts while promoting the industries that rely on this blue economy,” explained DiBella.
“Audubon has partnered with Port Tampa Bay on the conservation of the Bay and its waterbirds for decades. We’re excited to see Paul Anderson bringing this experience to his new role chairing the influential Florida Ocean Alliance. Audubon has been a steering committee member of this group for many years and we are proud of the way they combine the science and skill of the conservation community with the entrepreneurship and insight of marine-dependent industries, all in aid of Florida’s ocean health. We look forward to Paul’s leadership and what we will accomplish together,” explained Julie Wraithmell, executive director of Audubon Florida.
Anderson brings a depth of maritime industry experience, which includes his current position of President & CEO of Port Tampa Bay, and high-ranking commercial positions, as well as service at the federal level with President George W. Bush’s Administration as a Federal Maritime Commissioner, and at the state level with Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist. Anderson has lived in Florida for over 35 years and relocated with his family to Tampa, except during the period of his public service in Washington, D.C. To read more about Anderson’s background, click here.