MIKE RUBIN

PRESIDENT & CEO, FLORIDA PORTS COUNCIL, TALLAHASSEE

Florida is a top maritime state and home to the world’s largest cruise ports. The Florida Ports Council (FPC) serves as the professional association for Florida’s 16 public seaports and their management, providing leadership through a collective voice in the areas of state and federal advocacy, research, marketing and communication. Rubin has served the FPC for 27 years, five as president and CEO.

EDUCATION: Rollins College (BA), Florida State University (JD)

FIRST JOB: I was a paper delivery boy for the Melbourne Times in Satellite Beach. I wrapped the paper up in the early morning and delivered them on my bicycle.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I was enlisted in the U.S. Navy and aboard the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier with VF-31 during the military response to the bombing of the Marine Barracks in 1983. It was an interesting place to be during President Reagan’s and the Navy’s response. We did get to enjoy one of Bob Hope’s last USO Christmas tours aboard the Kennedy. The Navy helped me grow up and pay for college and law school.

INDUSTRY TREND: COVID-19 and the supply chain crisis of 2021 caused the maritime industry to review shipping methods and practices — in particular, how to get critical commodities from ship to shelf. We have seen significant growth in the shipment of goods to trade routes and seaports on the East Coast and in the Gulf. In addition, major global carriers such as MSC and CMA-CGM have purchased terminal operations in addition to their container fleets to consolidate cargo operations under their companies. This activity has made our marketing efforts to promote Florida as America’s supply chain solution more significant. Florida sits as the only logistic hub with two major trade lanes — the Atlantic and Gulf Coast — providing efficient trade opportunities to the U.S. East Coast, the Caribbean, Latin America and the world.