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REV MARK WODKA NAMED PROPELLER CLUB
2026 MARITIME PERSON OF THE YEAR

Rev. Mark Wodka, Executive Director of the Canaveral Port Ministry has been named the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral’s Maritime Person of the Year for 2026. Wodka is recognized for his dedication and service to Seafarers and the Maritime Industry community through his leadership of the Ministry. He was presented the award at the March Luncheon by Jim Dubea who was the recipient of this honor in 2012. He has served with the Ministry since 2009 and has been Director since 2012. Under Wodka’s leadership, the Ministry has gone from hosting 38,000 visitors in 2018 to over 100,000 in 2025. He supervises a team that works to fulfill the Ministry’s mission of meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of seafarers by operating a center near the Port which aims to be a home away from home for crew members working aboard the ships which call at the port. Multiple services are provided including postal services, Wi-Fi, money transfers, a small shop, transportation to local shopping, and hot meals. Spiritual needs are met with chapel services up to three times a day with gospel materials available in over 70 languages. The team works with crew members to support bible study groups aboard the ships. Team members also visit cruise and cargo ships at the dock to reach crew members who are unable to get off the ship. Wodka steered the organization through the COVID epidemic where efforts included suicide prevention videos to comfort crewmembers trapped aboard their vessels. He has led efforts to raise funds to buy additional land adjacent to the facility for future expansion. Wodka has worked closely with the Canaveral Port Authority and the Port Canaveral Maritime community and has had a long-time relationship with the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral to help further the Ministry’s mission. For more information visit cpm.life!

The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral has been recognized as the 2026 Southeast Region Port of the Year!
We hosted the Southeast Region Annual Conference in April along with our annual fundraiser ShrimpFeast! Check out photos from these events and more at this link: 2026 Photos
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY HAPPY HOUR
Our May Networking Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, May 28 at Rising Tide Tap & Table at 5 pm. Thank you to our sponsor Certerra! Register here: May Happy Hour
JUNE LUNCHEON
Our June Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill and will feature a Tug Industry Speaker panel. Register online here: June Luncheon
JUNE HAPPY HOUR
Thursday, June 25 at Rising Tide Tap & Table at 5 pm. Sponsored by the Canaveral Pilots Association.

CONGRATULATIONS HELM SENIORS & SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!
Congratulations to the Rockledge High School HELM Maritime program graduating Seniors and to this year’s Propeller Club Scholarship winners! At our May Luncheon the Propeller Club recognized our Scholarship winners and HELM Seniors gave a presentation on the program over the last year! Fair winds and following seas to all of these young people as they embark on their next steps of post-secondary education and/or entering the workforce! Thank you to Propeller Club partners and members who support the HELM program and our scholarship fundraising!

NATIONAL MARITIME DAY OBSERVANCE
The Port Canaveral National Maritime Day observance was held Saturday, May 23 by the Navy League, Cape Canaveral Council, The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral, and the Space Coast Chapter, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association. Port Canaveral Harbor Tug companies Marine Towing and Bisso, the Port Canaveral Fireboat, and the Pilot Boat participated with salutes and escorts. A memorial wreath was laid on the waters of the harbor and RADM Wayne Justice, USCG, former Port Commission Chairman, was among those especially remembered during the ceremonies. Special guests included Capt. Willie Barrere, President of the American Maritime Officers union and CDR Matthew Zinn, USCG, CO of Marine Safety Unit, Port Canaveral. Thank you to all who participated!

SAMANTHA CORNELIUS NAMED PROPELLER CLUB OF PORT CANAVERAL 2026 MEMBER OF THE YEAR

The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral has named Samantha Cornelius 2026 Member of the Year. Samantha is the Vice President of Business Development for Cargo and Aerospace at Port Canaveral. She manages a diverse cargo portfolio and collaborates with current and prospective customers including commercial space launch companies. Samantha is the primary liaison for marine terminal operators, ensuring long-term business retention while overseeing customer contracts and the administration of Foreign Trade Zone # 136.
Before joining the port in 2017, Samantha spent over a decade at global carrier Hapag-Loyd. As Senior Customer Service Manager for Government Cargo, she held a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance and led a specialized team in managing mission-critical shipments for the U.S. military.
Samantha is a graduate of Hillsborough Community College and holds advanced certifications from the Digital Marketing Institute. A recognized leader in the maritime community, she serves on the Board of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral and handles key roles in communications, membership, and event coordination. Her dedication to the Propeller Club mission is a big part of the club’s success. Samantha is a member of the National Defense Transportation Association and Women’s International Trade and Shipping Association.