George Williamson helped diversify the port but also drew criticism from his bosses and maritime businesses.
By STEVE HUETTEL
Published February 27, 2004
TAMPA - George Williamson, who helped diversify Tampa's seaport beyond its traditional bulk cargo business, resigned as port director Thursday to accept an executive position with a private Florida company.
Williamson declined to identify his new employer except to say it is outside the Tampa Bay area. He agreed to remain in the Tampa Port Authority's top job until April 9 while the public agency's governing board looks for a successor. Williamson earns $195,000 a year.
Since he took over as port director five years ago, Tampa's cruise business has doubled in size to more than 400,000 passengers and 235 ship sailings for the year ending last Sept. 30. The port landed its first global container cargo shipping service last year.
But Williamson, 50, also attracted increasing criticism from his bosses and maritime businesses for how he ran the agency, which manages public land at the port.
This month, port commissioners dressed him down at a meeting for failing to provide timely information on proposals before them. Thursday, the St. Petersburg Times reported that two commissioners said they had heard that Williamson was looking to leave the port - rumors he denied Wednesday.
"I'm not looking for a job, and I don't have a resume on the street," he told the Times. "I think it's wishful thinking from my detractors."
Thursday, Williamson explained that he wanted to tell port commissioners and employees about his new job before they read about it in the newspaper.
The recent heat from commissioners had nothing to do with his decision to leave, Williamson said. He reached the top of his profession in Tampa, he said, and didn't want to go to a bigger port.
"It's been a tough decision. This has been my family for 17 years in the port business," he said of his time in the maritime business. "But I'm excited about this opportunity."
Tampa's port is the largest in Florida, as measured in tons of cargo. But almost all of it is unglamorous, low-value commodities - petroleum products arriving from Gulf Coast refineries and phosphate rock and fertilizer headed for overseas markets.
Williamson arrived as director in February 1999 after the port board demoted his predecessor, Bob Steiner.
Williamson was a familiar face, the Tampa Port Authority's marketing director for three years before leaving in 1993 for the Port of Houston. After returning to Tampa, Williamson became known as a relentless salesman, constantly promoting the port as the region's "economic engine."
Tampa's cruise business was well-established but grew steadily on his watch, as industry giant Carnival Cruise Lines brought in larger ships with more frequent sailings. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines followed with winter season vessels.
At the urging of local importers and exporters, Williamson expanded Tampa's container cargo business. The port attracted a private terminal operator and a shipping line with routes around the world.
But Williamson's focus on cruise lines and real estate ventures, such as the Channelside entertainment complex, drew the ire of traditional port industries.
They accused the agency of hatching plans behind the scenes for projects that harmed their businesses, including a security gate that limited access to Hooker's Point, the port's industrial heart.
That led to creation of the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association, a lobbying group representing 66 businesses that use the port.
Port commissioners defended Williamson. Last August, they extended his contract for two years into 2006. But for the first time, commissioners imposed performance standards Williamson had to meet for his employment to continue one additional year.
Last week, board members postponed voting on three proposals after commissioner Gladstone "Tony" Cooper objected that the staff hadn't provided timely details or sought the lowest bid on a purchase.
He and two other commissioners later expressed concern that many port businesses missed a Feb. 3 workshop in which the board and staff discussed a wide range of issues. The only notice was a single 2-by-21/2-inch newspaper legal advertisement.
Cooper and commissioner Joseph Diaz said they weren't surprised by Williamson's announcement Thursday after hearing all the rumors flying around the port.
Both praised him for overseeing what they called a turning point in the port's history. Diaz, however, said Williamson didn't communicate well enough with the gritty industrial businesses that are the port's core customers.
"It's a shame his management skills were not at the same level as his marketing skills," said Diaz.
Williamson said he suggested that board chairman Lance Ringhaver appoint a search committee to recommend a handful of port director candidates to commissioners.
POSITION: Departing from job as Tampa Port Authority director
AGE: 50
ANNUAL SALARY: $195,000
PREVIOUS JOBS: managing director, Port of Houston; marketing director, Tampa Port Authority; marketer for Lykes Lines.
CIVIC AND INDUSTRY POSITIONS: former chair of the International Business Committee, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce; past president of the Cruise Committee, American Association of Port Authorities; board member, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and Lowry Park Zoo.
