Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has announced Jonathan Daniels as the new executive director of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration. Mr. Daniels is currently chief executive officer and director at Port Everglades in Broward County, Fla., and has more than 30 years of port and economic development experience. He will begin in his new position February 5.
Mr. Daniels was selected following a rigorous national recruitment process that included an executive search committee and a nationally recognized maritime executive search firm. The Maryland Port Administration manages and directs the six state-owned marine terminals of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.
“We’re excited to have someone of Jonathan Daniels’ stature join us in such a pivotal role leading the Maryland Port Administration,” said Secretary Wiedefeld. “Jonathan’s strong experience leading major U.S. ports and his unique economic development background make him the perfect choice for the Port of Baltimore as we continue to advance significant projects that will grow business and increase job opportunities.”
At Port Everglades, Mr. Daniels led a $3 billion plan to expand business lines in containers, energy and cruise activity. Port Everglades is the 13th busiest container port in the U.S., the busiest energy port in Florida and the third busiest cruise homeport in the world. It has an annual economic impact of $33 billion and supports about 216,000 jobs. Port Everglades also is recognized in a maritime industry stalwart in environmental compliance. Prior to working at Port Everglades, Mr. Daniels was executive director and CEO for the Mississippi State Port Authority and oversaw a $570 million expansion and reconstruction project. He also worked for the Port of Oswego in New York and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.
“I’d like to thank Governor Wes Moore and Secretary Wiedefeld for this wonderful opportunity,” said Mr. Daniels. “The Port of Baltimore is one of the top performing ports in the nation, with a great labor force and a very involved port community. I’m looking forward to getting started, helping to increase port business and jobs, and lending my experience and guidance to transformational projects like the Howard Street Tunnel initiative and the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem restoration.”
Mr. Daniels is a graduate of The Citadel, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science; and the Maine Maritime Academy, where he was a Master of Science Candidate in Maritime Management.
The Port of Baltimore ranks first among the nation’s ports for autos and light truck volume, roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery, and imported gypsum. The Port generates about 15,300 direct jobs, with nearly 140,000 jobs overall in Maryland linked to Port activities. The Port is responsible for nearly $3.3 billion in personal wages and salaries, $2.6 billion in business revenue and nearly $400 million in state and local tax revenue annually. The Maryland Port Administration is the state’s leading creator of wetlands through its industry-renowned innovative and beneficial reuse dredging program.
