IAMPE CONGRATULATES RECENT TAMPA MPM AND MPE GRADUATES

The International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) is pleased to announce its latest class of Maritime Port Managers (MPM) and Maritime Port Executives (MPE), who completed their certifications in Tampa, Florida, USA, the week of October 26-30, 2026. Teaching both programs was IAMPE Faculty member, Dr. Don Maier, AMPE, CME. The class was hosted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement – Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center. The program covered an in-depth overview of port management, current maritime issues, and multiple case studies.

Earning the MPM was Leo Veloz, MPM – Associate Project Engineer, Port of Corpus Christi. Earning the Maritime Port Executive (MPE) was Jackson Strong, MPE – Senior Planning Coordinator, City of Tampa; Robert Harris, MPE – Assistant Manager, Cargo Operations, North Carolina Ports Authority; Daniel Costa, MPE – State Port Manager, State of Rhode Island - Department of Environmental Management; Tyler Griffin, MPE - Transportation Planner IV, HNTB; Carlon Bethell, MPE – Port Controller, Bahamas Port Department; LeeAnn Jones, MPE – Operations Specialist II, SeaPort Manatee; David Wirth, MPE – Marina and Port Manager – City of St. Petersburg/Port St. Pete; Captain Patrick Burkett, MPE – USCG; Daniel Diaz, State Seaport Program Coordinator, FDOT; Michelle Gonzalez-Lazo, MPE – State Seaport Program Coordinator, FDOT; Jeffrey Horning, MPE – District 7 Aviation and Seaport Project Manager, FDOT; Paul Lucien, MPE – Facility Manager, PANY/NJ; Donavon Wright, MPE – Harbour Master/ Marina Manager, Cat Cay Yacht Club; and Robert Binegar, MPE – Special Agent, Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Graduates of the MPE program received graduate-level academic and continuing education credits from the IAMPE’s Academic Partners which includes Maine Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, State University of New York Maritime College, Texas Southern University, The University of South Alabama, University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Haslam College of Business, and the Australian Maritime College.

The IAMPE is proud to have 37 Education Partners including the Connecticut Port Authority; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Georgia Ports Authority; Port of Alaska; Bruce Oakley, Inc.; Maine Port Authority; Little Rock Port Authority ; Port Milwaukee; the British Virgin Islands Port Authority; Port of South Louisiana; Port of Morgan City (LA); America’s Central Port; the United States Coast Guard; the US Environmental Protection Agency; Port Tampa Bay; Jacksonville Port Authority; South Carolina Ports Authority; Maher Terminals; The Port of Virginia; The Mississippi State Port Authority; New Hampshire Port Authority; the World Trade Center New Orleans; Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL); Kean Miller; Parker Towing, Port of Decatur; A. Ayala Colón Sucrs Inc.; the Ponce Port Authority; Port of Halifax; The Port of New Orleans; Port Liberty NY; Hawaii Department of Transportation; Ports of Indiana – Jeffersonville; The Port of Long Beach; Marine Exchange of Southern California; Maryland Port Administration – Port of Baltimore; North Carolina State Ports Authority; and University of Memphis.

The IAMPE is a non-profit industry association that provides professional development and certification for professionals at every level of their careers working in and around the maritime port industry. Programs are reviewed and approved for certification by the IAMPE’s Board of Advisors, comprised of 19 industry professionals. The Association offers professional and accredited programs in Coastal and Inland Port Management and Executive Management, as well as certification programs for Marine Terminal Operator and IMDG/Hazardous Awareness.