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PROPELLER CLUB OF PORT CANAVERAL 2024 MARITIME PERSON OF THE YEAR

Diane Luensmann, Vice President, Government and Strategic Communications for the Canaveral Port Authority, has been named Maritime Person of the Year by the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral for 2024. She has worked at the Port Authority since 2017, bringing her decades of experience in federal government, state government and the private sector. Diane earned a Master’s degree from the U.S. Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies. Her private sector experience includes serving as the first female to be President of a full-service New England Ad agency. Her federal experience includes serving as Communications Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In state government she served as Liaison to the Democratic Governors Association. She also worked as Maritime Policy Director for the American Maritime Congress.

Since joining the Canaveral Port Authority, Diane has used her extensive experience in government relations and policy initiatives, and communications and marketing to promote the mission and interests of Port Canaveral, the world’s second busiest cruise port, at the local, state, and federal government levels. She has been a major force in getting federal and state legislation passed and policy improvements made on a wide range of issues that have impact far beyond just Port Canaveral and the State of Florida. An example is that she was instrumental in getting a federal law passed to create a maritime security zone controlled and enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard for the safe and secure splashdown and recovery of space launch assets when it became apparent after the first manned capsule return mission that there was not adequate authority included in existing law. Diane has been involved in planning and deploying innovations and industry cutting edge achievements such as LNG ship fueling at Port Canaveral and strengthening port partnerships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She has worked to improve emergency response and port safety for Florida ports with the successful passage of Florida legislation to improve hurricane evacuation procedures and helping the port receive funding for a new fire boat and emergency rescue response equipment. In addition to all her work directly impacting the maritime industry, Diane is a strong advocate for maritime education and has helped bring Maritime Academy cadets to Port Canaveral for training and internship opportunities.

Congratulations to Diane Luensmann, the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral’s Maritime Person of the Year!

UPCOMING EVENTS
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
The 2025 Membership Campaign is underway. We invite all current Members and Partners to renew for 2025 and we welcome new friends and community members to join us. Anyone who joins or renews before January 1, 2025 will enjoy an Early Bird Discount on dues. You can make payments using a credit card at the online registration links or you can send a check with the membership form to P.O. Box 501, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Go to the “Membership -Renew or Join” tab on this site for the links!

JANUARY LUNCHEON
The first Luncheon of the year will be held on Wednesday, January 8 at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill at 11:30 am. Incoming President Josh Hester will provide a look at the year ahead!

PROPELLER CLUB OF PORT CANAVERAL
2024 MEMBER OF THE YEAR
BOB SIELSKI

Bob Sielski is a long-time member of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral and is currently serving as club Secretary for the sixth year in a row. Bob has had a long and distinguished career as a Naval Architect. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan and his Master of Engineering and Doctor of Science in Structural Engineering from the George Washington University. Some of his career highlights include developing a guide for the design and construction of aluminum marine structure that has become a standard reference for aluminum ship structures, working with the Naval Sea Systems Command, and advising the Office of Naval Research on its Ship Structure Reliability program. He received the Distinguished Service Award in 2011 from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and was elected a Fellow in 2012. He has worked on and chaired committees with the Marine Board of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Society of Naval Engineers.

Bob has shown his dedication to the mission of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral by volunteering not only as Club Secretary but also faithfully attending the club’s Keep Brevard Beautiful Clean Up days and serving on the Education Committee. Bob is very passionate about the club’s maritime education efforts and scholarship program. He has served as an evaluator for awarding the club’s scholarships for many years and in recent years he has taken the lead on the scholarship application evaluation team, developing a matrix to assist in the process. He advocates for the continued development of the club’s Scholarship Endowment to provide funding for future scholarships. Bob is also passionate about the club’s support for the Canaveral Port Ministry and is always part of the group of members who attend the Ministry’s annual Gala. In his spare time Bob is an avid marathon runner. He has run a marathon in all 50 states and in London and has run half marathons in Antarctica and on the Great Wall of China! Congratulations to our Member of the Year, Bob Sielski.

NOVEMBER ANNUAL MEETING AND VETERANS LUNCHEON

The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral held its Annual Meeting and Veterans Luncheon recently at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill. The slate for the club’s 2025 Officers and Board of Governors was presented and voted on. Veterans were recognized with the annual tradition of the playing of an expanded Armed Forces Medley including the Space Force Hymn, Coast Guard Hymn and Merchant Marine Hymn. Thank you to the musicians, the dynamic duo of Steve Kirsner & Dennis Thompson! Guest speaker for the luncheon was Dave Lieberman, Deputy Chief, Waterways Management for the Seventh Coast Guard District. He talked about the functions and missions of Waterways Management and highlighted the Port Access Route Study (PARS) for Port Canaveral which includes the establishment of safe transit zones for vessels during rocket launches.

INTERNATIONAL PROPELLER CLUB CONVENTION

The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral had one of the largest contingents of all the Clubs attending the International Propeller Club Convention hosted by the Propeller Club – Port of Tampa! Thank you to the organizers for an outstanding job of providing great industry speakers and panelists and providing a taste of the beautiful city of Tampa!