When Paul Anderson was hired as CEO for the Jacksonville Port Authority just over a year ago, he spent little time standing still.
He told a couple of business groups he spoke to during his first month in the position that he had already given out 500 business cards while meeting port customers and employees, area business leaders and elected officials.
“This job is not just about making Jaxport better, but making our country better,” said Anderson, 52.
“I want to be a part of a generation that leaves the country a better place than it was when we joined the workforce.”
During a recent interview, he took the stairs instead of the elevator from his third-floor office because of an employee fitness initiative that had Anderson wearing a pedometer. He also started a program of recognizing employees that reach milestones at the port and he takes a small group to lunch each month.
“It’s an informal setting where I can get to know them and we can discuss ideas to make the business better,” said Anderson.
He also said he pays for the lunches out of his own pocket.
“We don’t go to Russ-Doe’s, but we also aren’t going to Ruth’s Chris,” he said, contrasting a popular Talleyrand area sandwich shop and the Downtown steakhouse.
Anderson said he learned the importance of personal dedication to staff and customers from two leaders in the maritime industry — Jim Moran of JM Family Enterprises and Hans Hvide founder of Hvide Marine Inc.
“I learned a lot about business relations from two extremely successful businessmen,” said Anderson.
Earlier this week he was waiting for a report from staff who attended a meeting organized by state. Rep Janet Adkins for stakeholders of the St. Johns River Ferry.
“It’s great that various stakeholders are having the discussion on how to get someone to continue to operate the ferry,” said Anderson.
“We very much understand how important the ferry is to those who use it. I think we have done a major public service in operating the ferry for the last four years, but we have to refocus on our core mission of growing commerce and bringing jobs to Northeast Florida.”
When Anderson is not focusing on the port, he spends time with his wife, Sarah, and son, Jordan. He can also be found golfing, skiing or following the athletic teams of his alma mater, the University of Florida.
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