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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!

2026 SOUTHEAST REGION PORT OF THE YEAR
UPCOMING EVENTS
JULY FIREWORKS DINNER

Kick off a historic Independence Day weekend with The Propeller Club on Friday, July 3rd to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial—250 years of freedom! Join us for an evening of community, spectacular harbor views, and a brilliant fireworks display. Friday, July 3rd, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Gators Portside, 683 Dave Nisbet Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920. Register here: July Fireworks
AUGUST CANDIDATE FORUM
A tradition of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral is returning next month. Continuing our commitment to keeping our members informed and connected to leadership, the club is hosting a “Candidates Forum” for individuals running for a seat on the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. Join us on Wednesday, August 5th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill in Port Canaveral. *Please note the earlier than usual start time* Register here: August Luncheon

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!

TUG CAPTAINS SPEAK AT JUNE LUNCHEON
Port Canaveral Tugboat Captains Cody Bocco from E.N. Bisso & Son and Connor MacDonald from Marine Towing of Port Canaveral were the guest speakers at the Propeller Club’s June Luncheon. They are two of the Captains of the red and yellow ship assist tugs that are often seen working in the harbor. Luncheon attendees were excited to hear the specifics of what the tugs do every day to support maritime operations at the Port. Both speakers discussed their highly maneuverable tugs, the career paths that brought them to their positions as Captains, and some of the more challenging jobs they are called upon to do such as assisting nuclear powered subs. Marine Towing Director of Operations Dwayne Keith also spoke giving insight into his company and the Tug industry. Thank you to the Tug Captains and companies for the invaluable, highly professional service they provide at Port Canaveral every day. And a special thanks to Marine Towing for their support of the PropellerClub and especially the annual Shrimpfeast fundraiser!

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.