After months of leadership uncertainty, the new CEO of the Jacksonville Port Authority says he has an initial strategy to bring stability to the independent authority regarded as a regional economic driver.
"Being involved, being on the docks, being in the office, meeting with the people, making sure I understand what everybody does and making sure they have the information to do their job," said Brian Taylor.
He described his leadership style as "hands-on" and a "communicator."
Taylor began the job Monday after a decision last week by the Florida Commission on Ethics. It said there was no conflict of interest for him to serve as CEO while receiving a separation package from Horizon Lines Inc., which operates a facility at the port.
Taylor met with reporters Tuesday for the first time in the position, saying that despite what some have told him, he does not consider JaxPort to be in need of major changes.
"I don't think JaxPort needs to be 'turned around,'" he said.
Instead, he said he wants to build on the "great foundation" at the port for further economic success.
"My role is to really take it where it is today and make it bigger and better," he later said.
He said the port is "well positioned" in the container and auto-processing businesses.
Taylor said his first challenges will be to meet with constituents to determine perceptions of what the port does well and what it can do better and to become acclimated with the port's strategic plan.
He said priorities include dredging the St. Johns River and deepening the shipping channel to "keep Jacksonville in the game" of being a port of call for larger ships and adjusting the Mile Point section of the shipping channel.
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