Riviera Beach, FL - On Thursday, January 20, 2016, the Port of Palm Beach Board of Commissioners elected its new Chairman, Mr. Wayne M. Richards. Richards, a member of the board for 16 years, is known for keeping a strong focus on fiscal responsibility and bringing new, diversified business to the Port of Palm Beach. Among the board members, Dr. Jean L. Enright was voted into the position of vice-chair, and Mr. George E. Mastics was named Secretary-Treasurer.
Richards’ dedication to business development at the port is highlighted by his many trade missions to the Caribbean nations such as the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Trinidad Tobago. Over the past year, he has served as a lynchpin to conversations between Cuban diplomats and port and tenant representatives, facilitating round table discussions centered on the future potential and logistics of trade between the nations.
“The year ahead is filled with possibility and I look forward to serving as Chair during this time of international outreach and growth,” states Chairman Richards. “As the second fastest-growing export port in the nation, Port of Palm Beach is well positioned to engage in new business opportunities that will arise, internationally and locally.”
Chairman Richards is a practicing attorney, specializing in real estate and business law, land use, zoning and governmental affairs, and is owner of the Riviera Beach firm Law Office of Wayne M. Richards.
About Port of Palm Beach
Port of Palm Beach is a full-service, diversified port, offering cruise and cargo services to more than 30 onsite tenants and users. At only 162 acres, the port’s efficiency is unparalleled – Port of Palm Beach processes over $7 billion in commodities, over 2 million tons of cargoes and more than 350,000 cruise passengers annually. More than 2,850 people are employed by the Port of Palm Beach and its tenants, making it one of the largest employers in Palm Beach County. And through the contribution of more than $185 million in business revenue and $17.5 million in tenant-contributed state and local annual tax revenue, it is one of the largest economic engines in South Florida.