Klug selected as interim port director

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce Charles Klug, the authority’s deputy port director of administration and port counsel, was selected unanimously, at today’s regular board meeting, to step up as interim port director/chief executive and will remain at the helm of the port authority until a permanent director is in place.

Klug, 50, has led the port’s legal team since 2004, and possesses a wealth of knowledge in an array of maritime, real estate, industry and local government issues. Moreover, he has served as temporary agency head on many occasions over the last few years, when necessary. Klug will replace Richard Wainio, who has been at the helm of the port authority for the last seven-and-a-half years, guiding the port deftly through exceptionally difficult economic circumstances.

“There is truly no finer choice for interim port director as the board sees it,” William “Hoe” Brown, port authority chairman, said. “Charles is a strong leader and has the skills necessary to guide the port authority and its staff, as well as continue to inform the board of important goings on, as we make our way through the process of establishing our new director who will continue the port along its path of positive growth and diversification.”

The process of selecting a new port director and chief executive is well underway. Boyden Global Executive Search, the firm selected by the port board at its July meeting, is recruiting candidates for the position. The selection committee, announced at today’s board meeting will play a key role in vetting the candidates. No schedule has been set at this time for any meetings of the search committee. The committee consists of the following distinguished persons: William “Hoe” Brown, chairman, Tampa Port Authority; Vincent M. Dolan, president/CEO, Progress Energy Florida; Gordon L. Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas; Arthur R. Savage; president/CEO, A.R. Savage & Son; and William E. Starkey, former president of GTE Florida.

Once narrowed to a short list of candidates by the selection committee, board members will meet individually with the candidates. After the one-on-one meetings, there will be a public meeting, wherein the collective port board will have the opportunity to interface with candidates before final selection is made and a new port director/chief executive is chosen. The search firm expects the process to be completed and a new director for the state’s largest port to be in place by the end of the year.

One of the nation’s largest and most cargo-diverse seaports, a major cruise home port, and shipbuilding/repair center, the Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west-central Florida, generating nearly 100,000 jobs and $8 billion in annual economic impact. For more information about Florida’s largest port, visit www.tampaport.com.