Port People: Baltimore, Florida Ports Council, Pacific Ports Association

Gov. Larry Hogan on September 2 announced his appointments of Brenda Dandy and Walter Tilley to the Maryland Port Commission (MPC). They will join current commissioners Donald Fry, Rev. Donte Hickman Sr., Theodore Venetoulis, and David Richardson.

Ms. Dandy is the co-founder and financial executive of Marine Enterprise International, a manufacturer of artificial seawater mix for public aquariums, aquaculture facilities, live seafood holding systems and research laboratories. She previously served as a port commissioner from 2005 to 2008. She is social director of the Rotary Club of Towsontowne and treasurer of the Johns Hopkins Club. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Towson University.

Currently CEO of Home Paramount Pest Control, Mr. Tilley is the former owner of Home Paramount, York Printing and York Distributors. Earlier, he served in the United States Marine Corps and as a director on the boards of Duke University School of Law, Harford National Bank, Upper Chesapeake Medical System, Franklin Square Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Board. In 1995, he was named Baltimore Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995.

"Brenda Dandy and Walter Tilley possess the kind of business and life experience that will make them valued representatives on the Port Commission," said Gov. Hogan. "The Port of Baltimore is one of our state’s most important economic engines, and I am confident these two accomplished individuals will provide the leadership needed to ensure the port continues to be successful."

The MPC establishes policies directed toward improving the competitive position of the Port of Baltimore within the international maritime industry. Commissioners are appointed by the governor to terms of three years. The Maryland Secretary of Transportation chairs commission meetings.

Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson was elected chairman of the Florida Ports Council (FPC) during the group’s annual board meeting on September 3.

The FPC is a professional association of Florida’s 15 public seaports. As chairman, Mr. Anderson succeeds Val Schwec of the Port of Fernandina.

During that same meeting, the council elected Port Everglades Chief Executive Steven Cernak, PPM®, as vice-chairman, and Port Canaveral CEO John Walsh, CEO of Port Canaveral, as secretary-treasurer.

Mr. Anderson is a former Federal Maritime Commissioner and also served as chief executive director of the Jacksonville Port Authority before joining Port Tampa Bay in 2013. He currently serves as elected chairman of the Florida Ports Financing Commission and as a member of the boards of directors of the American Association of Port Authorities, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida.

"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, the port council’s president and CEO. "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."

Paul Anderson

Photo/Port Tampa Bay

Hueneme Port Commissioner Rooney Named Pacific Ports Association President

Port of Hueneme Harbor Commissioner Mary Anne Rooney was named president of at the association’s 102nd Annual Conference last month in the Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung. Hueneme will host APP’s annual conference in 2016. Ms. Rooney, who is an independent strategic business consultant, has been a port commissioner since November 2010 and in January 2014 became the first women to be elected the harbor commission’s president. She is a past APP vice president and also served on its executive committee.

The Association of Pacific Ports is a trade and information association founded for the purpose of promoting increased efficiency and effectiveness of the ports of the Pacific. APP programs are aimed at enhancing the technical and governance expertise of commissioners and other port officials through meetings, educational seminars and the exchange of appropriate communications.

The association is headquartered in Clackamas (OR). Lisa Pomasl is its executive director. Among its members are public seaport agencies in Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Oregon, Saipan, Taiwan, and Washington State.

Mary Anne Rooney

Photo/Port of Hueneme