Jonathan Daniels has been appointed the new director and chief executive officer (CEO) of PortMiami, one of the world's leading cruise and cargo ports.
Daniels has more than three decades of experience in the maritime, logistics, and economic development sectors. He joins PortMiami from the Maryland Port Administration, where he served as executive director of the Port of Baltimore. Previously, he was general manager and port director of Port Everglades, one of the largest cruise and cargo ports in the United States.
Throughout his career he has led important operations related to the cruise, cargo and energy sectors, in addition to overseeing infrastructure investments worth billions of dollars and managing complex operational and commercial projects in some of the most important ports in the country.
During his tenure as head of the Port of Baltimore, Daniels played a key role in managing the crisis caused by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, coordinating with government agencies and businesses the recovery of port activity after one of the largest disruptions suffered by a U.S. port in recent years. Under his leadership, the port also achieved a record-breaking container traffic volume in 2025.
Previously, as the top executive of Port Everglades, he spearheaded a $3 billion expansion strategy aimed at growing cargo, cruise, and energy operations.
“PortMiami is one of our county’s greatest assets and a powerful economic engine for Miami-Dade,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Jonathan brings the experience, vision, and leadership needed to further strengthen our infrastructure, drive the port’s growth, and ensure that PortMiami remains a global leader in trade and tourism for decades to come.”.
For his part, Jonathan Daniels emphasized that “PortMiami is an extraordinary port, with a highly qualified team, excellent industry partners, and a very promising future. I look forward to working alongside our employees, clients, and partners to continue building on PortMiami’s success.”.
The mayor also announced the appointment of Alissa Penaloza as deputy director of PortMiami. With nearly 20 years of experience in public administration, Penaloza has spent part of her career at the port itself and most recently as deputy director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, where she oversaw major planning and infrastructure projects.
Until Jonathan Daniels officially takes office, scheduled for August 10, the position of interim director will be assumed by Deputy Mayor Roy Coley starting July 1.
Currently, PortMiami is one of the leading cruise and cargo ports in the United States, generating around 340,000 jobs and an estimated economic impact of $61.4 billion for the state of Florida.
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