Dear Port of Baltimore Stakeholders, Business Partners, and Supporters
After a lot of reflection as well as careful thought and consideration, I have made the very difficult decision to resign my position as executive director of the Maryland Port Administration to take the next step in my career, as director and CEO of PortMiami, one of the largest cruise passenger ports in the world.
My strong experience in the cruise industry, coupled with the opportunity to live close to my three-year-old grandson, made this opportunity difficult to turn down. However, believe me when I tell you that this was a very hard decision for me to make because of the talented and supportive team that we built together over my two years at the MPA as well as you, our incredibly dedicated Port of Baltimore stakeholders, labor workforce, business partners, and loyal supporters. It's truly a team that has pulled in the same direction.
Working together, we achieved some wonderful milestones and overcame some difficult challenges, none greater than the Key Bridge incident in 2024. Only six weeks after I arrived in Baltimore from Port Everglades, we faced something that most other ports will never experience. If I hadn't known it prior, I certainly learned in the days and weeks ahead that the MPA and you, the greater Port of Baltimore, was one of the best and most capable port organizations and communities that I had ever worked for.
As our business continues to recover from the Key Bridge incident, I don't want that period to define my time here because there has been a lot more for all of us to be proud of. Some examples of things we achieved as a team in just two years are:
- 2025 was the Port's second-best year ever for cargo volumes;
- A new five-year contract with Carnival Cruise Line;
- Our $147 million EPA Clean Ports grant that is adding zero-emission equipment and will reduce emissions for the Port and our surrounding communities;
- Additional federal funding to support our Mid-Bay environmental restoration project;
- The start of double-stack container rail service that will grow our container business and generate more jobs.
- A new strategic plan designed to grow our business and generate more jobs.
But it's not only about business for me. I want to acknowledge and thank you all for your support when I went through some major health challenges last year. The care and compassion you showed me will be something I'll never forget, and I'll always cherish the relationships I made here.
I also want to thank Governor Moore and Maryland transportation secretaries Wiedefeld and Thomson for having the trust and confidence in me to lead the Port of Baltimore.
I will have the honor of leading the MPA and the Port of Baltimore until early August. At that time, current Maryland Deputy Secretary of Transportation Samantha Biddle will become interim executive director while a nationwide search is conducted to permanently fill the position.
I wish each of you continued growth and success.
Fondly and with best wishes,
Jonathan
