PAUL ANDERSON

PRESIDENT & CEO, PORT TAMPA BAY, TAMPA

Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest and most cargo-diverse port, providing a gateway for imports and exports through the state. It's also a top 10 U.S. cruise port and major shipbuilding and repair center. Anderson has led the port since 2012 and chaired two national associations — the American Association of Port Authorities and the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors. He’s also chaired the Florida Ports Council and sat on the board of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BS)

first job: Serving as an aide to U.S. Sen. Paula Hawkins, the first woman elected to Congress from Florida.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Maybe a college football coach or a musician. But it’s a funny thing — these ideas change as you get older, and now I see so many opportunities in the world today with the advent of AI and other innovations, it could be anything.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I’ve played some guitar, I grew up as an avid surfer and played quarterback in high school. Often, chasing good waves conflicted with sports.

INDUSTRY TREND: We are seeing a resurgence of nearshoring and the desire to bring manufacturing back to this country, as well as shipbuilding. It is a national security issue that is much-needed and will strengthen and secure our supply chain resiliency in the U.S., while creating high-paying jobs.