Maryland Transportation Secretary announces new leadership at Port of Baltimore

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has announced Jonathan Daniels as the new executive director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration. Daniels comes to Maryland after serving as 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.

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, 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 statewide jobs. Port Everglades also is recognized as 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.