Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson said Thursday he has not made a decision yet whether to accept the position as CEO of the Tampa Port Authority.
Anderson was named the individual "International Business Leader of the Year" Thursday by the JAXUSA Partnership of the JAX Chamber.
He did not mention the Tampa job in his remarks as he accepted the award, but after the meeting he said he hadn't decided about the position. The Tampa Port Authority's governing board voted two weeks ago to offer Anderson the position.
Asked Thursday if he had made a decision, Anderson said, "no, but I'm going to." Asked when, he said "in a couple weeks."
JPA Chairman Jim Citrano said before the JAXUSA Partnership event he was trying to keep Anderson at the port.
Anderson said after the event Citrano and the board would learn of his decision before the media.
"I have a wonderful new opportunity to consider," he said. "I can assure you my chairman and my board will know before you do."
Anderson also said "the port is in good hands with his leadership," referring to Citrano and listing his qualities, including he is "a damn good businessman."
As reported, the Tampa port board began its search for a new CEO in August after it learned CEO Richard Wainio would leave Sept. 7. Anderson applied for the job. The Tampa board unanimously voted to offer it to him.
Wainio, hired in 2005, makes about $250,000, which is $70,000 below Anderson's annual $320,000.
Anderson joined JaxPort as CEO Jan. 17, 2011. He was hired on a three-year contract. He has completed a year and 10 months of that.
A port authority committee in late September voted to recommend a $16,000 raise and a $50,000 bonus for Anderson, but he asked the board to defer discussion of it, citing "the very difficult times that we are in" and the "challenges that the City of Jacksonville is dealing with."
Anderson was honored Thursday "for executing and expanding the international infrastructure in Florida as it relates to JaxPort."
"Under his leadership, JaxPort has become the largest cargo container port in Florida. Anderson led lobbying to secure $30 million in state and federal funds for the construction of a railroad yard at Dames Point terminal that will transfer cargo containers between trains and ships, and he has been instrumental in the partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to correct the navigational challenges at Mile Point," said a JAX Chamber news release.
Some Jacksonville City Council members questioned the raise for Anderson in light of City budget constraints. The port authority is an independent board.
"I've got a wonderful opportunity ahead of me," Anderson told reporters on Thursday. Asked about the Council members' questions about the raise, he responded "I let my performance speak for itself."
"I really hope Paul considers staying in Jacksonville as CEO of the port. He's done a marvelous job, as evidenced by the award he received today from JAXUSA partnership," Citrano said after the event.
"He hasn't lost the support of his staff or JaxPort's clients. I'm sure the board will deal with whatever decision he makes with the best interests of JaxPort, the City of Jacksonville and Paul in mind," he said.
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