2025 MARITIME PERSON OF THE YEAR
The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral has named Randy May as Maritime Person of the Year for 2025. Since 1981, Randy has been an innovative leader in marine, rail, and truck terminal operations. His focus has consistently been on quality customer service while providing cost-effective services. He has an instinct for finding ways to improve operational efficiencies while prioritizing safety. His first firm was R&L May Steamship Agency, Inc., a ship agency and stevedoring firm that began in Port Canaveral, Florida. He also started a transportation company, a hold cleaning and ship repair company, a Customs House Brokerage, and ship supply company. Randy quickly saw a need at the port for a cargo terminal operator to handle freight ranging from heavy equipment exports to import and export of construction materials.
In 1994 Randy added two of his top employees as business partners. They officially renamed the business to Ambassador Services, Inc. The company quickly expanded to include ports in Jacksonville, Port Everglades, Tampa, and Philadelphia, with headquarters in Port Canaveral. Ambassador Services, Inc. grew from providing agency and stevedoring services only to include marine terminal operations, rail yard operations, warehousing, DOD contracts, and truck fleet operations. They also provided direct dockside repair and maintenance of vessels up to 74,000 GRT. Railside operations expanded from Cocoa, FL to Jacksonville, and Ft. Pierce. While expansions were achieved in support of continued cargo growth, the firm learned to react swiftly to downturns by industry, enabling them to grow beyond construction materials into agricultural products, ro/ro exports, and more. Randy is quick to give credit for ASI’s success to his workers and team members which led to an employee count of over 200.
Throughout the years, Randy led all new construction planning and design and materials acquisitions. He was also directly responsible for personnel supervision, preparing vessel charter contracts, and business development. He is well known for his service as a liaison between ship owners and/or charterers and government officials. He has assured compliance with governmental requirements in the U.S. and the Bahamas working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and others. Among the many firsts in his career, Randy started the non-union stevedoring movement on Florida’s East Coast. By 1983, his efforts enabled his non-union stevedoring firm to offer lower cargo and cruise ship passenger rates to their customers.
Port Canaveral is the 2nd largest cruise port in the world. Their current success is grounded in efforts of over 30 years ago when Premier Cruise Lines chose Port Canaveral as their homeport. Randy developed shoreside support services for Premier Cruise Lines offering non-union dockside services, warehousing, and ship provisioning. He also constructed and owned the 70,000 sq ft. office building that became Premier’s headquarters.
Continuing his dedication to the port and Brevard County, today Randy owns and operates multiple warehouses and office buildings both within and outside of Port Canaveral. He is also a partner in cruise related businesses in the area. In 2020 Ambassador Services, Inc., was sold and Randy became an investor in the new owner, Enstructure LLC, a cargo terminal operator which is now based in 26 ports. The Canaveral operation is their crown jewel, with the best productivity and operations.
In his personal life, Randy is devoted husband to Linda, the “L” in R&L May, and father to Linda, Donnie, and Josh and Pops to four fabulous grandchildren, Jason Sara, Kennedy, and Maxim. He is well known for his outstanding collection of artifacts, a hobby he began as a young boy. Congratulations to Randy May on this well-deserved recognition.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY LUNCHEON
Our next luncheon of the year will be held on Wednesday, February 4 at Fishlips Waterfont Bar & Grill, 11:30 am. More info and registration link coming soon! Save the date for our Member Appreciation Networking Happy Hour which will be held on February 19 at Rising Tide!
2026 MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
It is time to renew your membership or join for 2026 Our membership year is the calendar year. Click on the Membership tab above to get started! Thank you for your support!
KEVIN JOBES NAMED SOUTHEAST REGION MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2025 AND ELECTED SE REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
JANUARY LUNCHEON
The Propeller Club held the first monthly luncheon of the year on Wednesday, January 7 at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill, Port Canaveral. Club President Bruce Cameron was the speaker and talked about his background and gave a preview of the year ahead. He noted that the club will be hosting this year’s Southeast Region Annual Conference and highlighted continued and enhanced support for the club’s programs, especially the scholarships and the RHS HELM Maritime Studies Program. The floor was opened to club Partners and new Members to introduce themselves and say a few words about their businesses. Thank you to all of our returning and new corporate Partners and Members. We look forward to an exciting year ahead!
REST IN PEACE RADM WAYNE JUSTICE
Statement from the Canaveral Port Authority
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice. Admiral Justice was elected in 2014 and has served continuously, including three times as the board chairman. He was a champion for the Port, his beloved Coast Guard, and our Port district community. His spirit, enthusiasm, leadership and passion for the maritime industry will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Barbara and his entire family.