by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Two of the top candidates during the recent search for a new CEO for the Jacksonville Port Authority will be working together to push the port toward the top of the shipping industry.
The JPA board of directors and new port CEO Paul Anderson announced Monday that port Chief Commercial Officer Roy Schleicher has been promoted to executive vice president of the seaport agency.
“With the new role of the CEO so focused on guaranteeing this port reaches its full potential in the future, the board felt it was vital to have a strong second-in-command,” said Dave Kulik, chair of the port’s board.
“Roy has the support not only of the Jacksonville community and our customers, but also of the global maritime industry of which he’s been an important part for more than 40 years,” said Kulik.
Both Anderson and Schleicher applied for the CEO position. The board made it clear that choosing one candidate from the two wasn’t easy, but Anderson’s experience and connections in the industry earned him unanimous approval.
Though board Secretary Reginald Gaffney voted in support of Anderson, he recognized Schleicher’s value to the port during the interview process.
“I feel it is in the best interest of the port to give Roy the recognition, compensation and title commensurate with the CEO for the accomplishments achieved to date and to reach future goals,” Gaffney wrote on his interview sheet.
Anderson also recognized Schleicher’s value and admitted to accepting the position, partly, because of the “strong management team in place at the port.”
This team will be necessary as the role of the CEO will be different from that of past port leaders.
“My role as CEO of the port will focus heavily on developing resources for the growth of the port,” said Anderson. “I feel it’s very important to have a strong second-in-command.”
He recognized Schleicher for his reputation in the global container industry and the respect customers and employees have for him.
“I am honored to serve alongside Roy as he takes on his expanded role and well-deserved promotion, and I know our port will benefit greatly from his knowledge, relationships and tireless efforts,” said Anderson.
Schleicher was the 2009 Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce “International Business Leader of the Year” and was named the “Maritime Person of the Year” by the Propeller Club – Port of Jacksonville in 2006.
Schleicher also has been recognized as a Transportation Leader in Florida by Florida Shipper Magazine.
The last time Schleicher was in the boardroom he was disheartened by the news of not being selected as CEO, but showed a smile and a sense of urgency for the challenges facing the port authority.
“I have always believed in JaxPort’s ability to become a premiere U.S. port and I am gratified to see our reputation growing internationally by leaps and bounds,” said Schleicher in a statement Monday.
“I am committed to use all my energy to do what it takes to get us even further,” he said.
With the hiring of Anderson, the title of interim CEO was relinquished by Chris Kauffmann and he returned to the position of chief operating officer. Kauffmann was thanked by the board and new CEO for his service during the transition period.
Kauffman also updated the board on the status of the development of the port’s own police department.
“We are going to stand up our new police department on one October of this year,” said Kauffmann.
The port had used the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for security, but discovered it could save about $1 million from the $6 million it spends annually for security costs by changing to an independent department.
Kauffmann said he was working with human resources to conduct “the hiring process for those police officers to establish that police department. We are working with JSO for a smooth transition.”
Kauffmann estimated the department would consist of 13 officers and a lieutenant. The number was down from an earlier estimate of 17 positions.
The Port Police Department would work with other law enforcement agencies that operate at the port, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“We have on-board JaxPort employees that are filling positions that are referred to as port security officers,” said Kauffmann. “These individuals have been brought on with the intent of helping the transition to our own police department. A high percentage of these individuals, as we go through the hiring process for the police department, will fit right into that category.”
356-2466