Business and City leaders attending a Friday discussion entitled "Leveraging our Regional Port Assets," did not expect current Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson to be an asset for much longer.
Anderson is in negotiations with the Tampa Port Authority for its CEO position, but a few weeks ago JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot said Anderson's move "wasn't a done deal yet."
Mallot was the moderator of the panel discussion held at the port's Dames Point Marine Terminal, but fielded the question about how the possible loss of Anderson would affect the port's growth.
"I've been deeply involved in this issue and it will be unfortunate. Paul Anderson has been a tremendous asset for us, particularly because it was the right person at the right time," said Mallot.
"It's not a good time to have a change, but at the same time we're going to get right on. We've had a port for a long time and we are going to have a port for a long, long time after that. We are going to get through it," he said.
Panel member Val Schwec, Port of Fernandina port director, said she respected Anderson's work to spur port growth — but that he didn't do it all himself.
"Anderson has done a great job for Jacksonville and really engaged the federal government on this dredging issue, but you have a great team behind him. Some folks have been there for 20 years, so I don't think you are going to miss a beat going forward," said Schwec.
"That's no disrespect to Paul, he's done a great job at the right time and now it's time for the next steps," said Schwec.
Charley Hood, Rayonier vice president of public affairs, was a panel member and talked about the business community's response to the possible move.
"(Anderson) had built some momentum at the port, so there was concern in the business community when news that he applied for the Tampa job was discovered," said Hood.
City Council member Jim Love serves as the port's Council liaison and attended the meeting. He said he talked to Anderson about the decision.
"I don't want to see him go, but I think there is too much momentum for him to the take the job at this point," said Love.
"In my discussions with him, he told me how much he loved Jacksonville and he was hoping to be here with his family for a long time. He's looking for stability," said Love.
Love said he was encouraged with the progress and attention Jacksonville's port infrastructure projects have garnered at the local, state and federal levels and expects the progress to continue.
"A lot of good things are in place and we will go on without him if necessary," said Love.
The Tampa Port Authority board of directors is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18 for its monthly meeting.
An agenda is not yet available.
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