by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Port Authority has shifted the focus of a longtime employee and brought in a former TV-4 weekend anchor to take his place.
Robert Peek, who spent 11 years in the Port’s external affairs office as communications director, is the new Director of Marketing Development. Nancy Rubin is taking Peek’s former position as Director, Communications and Public Relations.
“This is something we have thought about and talked about for a while,” said Peek, adding the new job is very different from his former position. “Here at the Port we have two separate departments. One is corporate communications where we deal with government and external affairs. That department focuses on the Jacksonville community and our stakeholders to keep them informed about the Port. It’s traditional PR work.
“Marketing is sales. We go out and find new cargo customers. I will be doing largely sales support work and look at what shipping lines and types of cargo we can bring in.”
Peek will work directly under Roy Schleicher, the Senior Director of Trade Development and Marketing.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Ferrin said Peek is a proven asset to the Authority.
“Robert has consistently done an outstanding job for us,” said Ferrin. “I am sure he will play a central role in our marketing efforts as he uses his energy and knowledge of port functions to best serve our customers.”
Rubin replaces Peek as the primary media contact and spokesperson for the Port. In addition to working for TV-4, Rubin was also a media consultant to businesses and non-profit organizations in Jacksonville.
“Nancy brings with her a deep understanding of the local community, its people, history and priorities,” said Ferrin. “Her existing connections to Jacksonville and its media will allow her to send out Jaxport’s message in a meaningful way.”
Rubin said this is a good time to be joining the Port. It’s one of the biggest ports on the East Coast and the Mitsui terminal is under construction.
“I am so pleased to be joining Jaxport at this stage of its incredible development,” said Rubin. “Jaxport’s mission to be an economic engine and to create jobs and opportunity for this community is being realized daily. It is a privilege to help get that word out to citizens of Northeast Florida.”