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Commissioner Bios
Group 3 Dr. Jean Landfair Enright, Chair |
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Dr. Jean Landfair Enright joined the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners in 2005. In 2014, Legacy Magazine’s Black History Month Issue recognized Dr. Enright’s dedication to community involvement. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Tuskegee University, a Master’s Degree from Howard University, and a Doctorate Degree from the Catholic University of America. Dr. Enright has worked as a university administrator, public school administrator, university instructor, and teacher.
As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA, Dr. Enright has served on the Board of Directors and also served as a Troop Leader. She was an Official Preliminary Judge in the Miss USA Pageant for Florida and is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She has served as treasurer of the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials for several years. Dr. Enright is the widow of the late Dr. William F. Enright, Jr. and mother of two daughters.
Group 1 Wayne M. Richards, Vice Chair |
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A Commissioner since 2001, Richards graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. He brings experience in real estate and business law, land use, zoning and governmental affairs to implement his vision for the Port.
A graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Richards is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, NAACP, and Caribbean American for Community Involvement (CAFCI). He enjoys quality time with his wife, Elrika, and their two daughters.
Group 5 Deandre J. Poole, Ph.D., Secretary/ Treasurer |
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Dr. Deandre J. Poole was elected to the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners on November 8, 2022. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. Dr. Poole is a native of West Palm Beach and grew up in the Pleasant City community. Commissioner Dr. Poole is a graduate of Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies Program from Florida Atlantic University, and his Ph.D. in Communication and Culture from Howard University, in Washington, D.C.
Professionally, Dr. Poole has more than 15 years of higher education experience. He serves as a University Instructor, Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Poole specializes in Communication Education, Curriculum Development, Critical-Cultural Pedagogy, Intercultural Theory, Political Communication, and Leadership Training and Development.
In addition, Dr. Poole has served on civic boards and nonprofit committees across Palm Beach County. Currently, he serves as President of the United Faculty of Florida— FAU Chapter, Board Secretary for the Scholastic Achievement Foundation of Palm Beach County, Urban League of Palm Beach County Guild Member, and is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee. Dr. Poole served on the Audit Committee for the Port, served as a member of the Sales-Surtax Advisory Committee and Chaired the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for the City of West Palm Beach.
Dr. Poole received the 2016 Community Leadership Award presented by the Hispanic Education Coalition and the Jose’ Marti Foundation, in recognition for his outstanding leadership and advocacy for educational excellence and equity for all students in Palm Beach County. He is married to Dr. Stephanie Poole, a local veterinarian specializing in small animal medicine. Commissioner Poole enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, live theater, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Group 4 Blair J. Ciklin, Commissioner |
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Joining the Board in 1977 as its youngest member, Mr. Ciklin has the distinction of being its longest serving Commissioner. As a seasoned veteran, he has helped to guide the Port through many years of landmark growth and change. As first vice president of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in West Palm Beach, he brings the Board broad-based knowledge and experience in both investment banking and financial management. A native of Connecticut and a resident of Palm Beach County since 1967, Mr. Ciklin graduated from Muskingum University in Ohio, and did postgraduate studies at the New York Institute of Finance. He has long been active in the community, serving as a founding member of the Artificial Reef Committee.
Group 2 Varisa Lall Dass, Commissioner |
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Varisa Lall Dass was appointed to serve as the Port Commissioner for Group 2 in December 2022. She brings civil litigation experience to the Port and a comprehensive knowledge of First Party Property Insurance Defense Litigation. She currently works as a Practice Group Partner at Kelley Kronenberg and previously worked as an Assistant State Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and General Assignment News Reporter. She is the first Trinidadian-American woman to serve as a Port of Palm Beach District Commissioner.
Lall Dass is graduate of Stetson University College of Law, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida. Prior to joining the Commission, Lall Dass served as the Port appointee to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Transportation Planning Agency, a board member of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, the 2022 Port Independent Audit Budget Committee, the host committee for the Florida Children’s First “Advocates for Children Awards." She also serves on the steering committee for Leadership West Palm Beach.
During her free time, Lall Dass enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends.