RADM WAYNE JUSTICE, USCG (RET) NAMED INTERNATIONAL PROPELLER CLUB MARITIME PERSON OF THE YEAR

The International Propeller Club selected RADM Wayne Justice, USCG (Ret) as the 2023 Maritime Person of the Year.  Justice was first named The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral Maritime Person of the year in April and his name was put forward at the Propeller Club Southeast Region conference held in Savannah where he was selected as the Southeast Region Maritime Person of the Year as well.  Justice currently serves on the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. He was first elected to the Board in 2014 and is now serving his third term. He has served as Chairman twice, first in 2018 and again in 2021, leading the commission during the severe challenges of the pandemic. Port Canaveral is the world’s busiest cruise ship port and is a major economic engine for the Space Coast and Central Florida. Justice is a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and earned Masters’ degrees from Nova University and the U.S. Naval War College. His 37 year Coast Guard career culminated with command of the Fifth Coast Guard District which covers the Nations’s mid-Atlantic region from New Jersey to North Carolina. Other assignments included Assistant Commandant for Capability, Director of Response Policy, Seventh Coast Guard District Chief of Staff, and Coast Guard Aide to Presidents Bush and Clinton where his responsibilities included carrying the nuclear football. He commanded four Coast Guard cutters, three of which were homeported in Florida. Justice has served on the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral Board for over ten years. He also volunteers and serves with other community non-profits including Crosswinds Youth Services of Melbourne; the Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter; and the Navy League, Space Coast Council. The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral is proud that RADM Justice, has been recognized by the International Propeller Club for his service to our nation, the maritime industry, Port Canaveral, and our community! A presentation was made at the International Propeller Club Annual Convention held in September in Charleston, South Carolina.  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHRIMPFEAST 2024!!!

The Propeller Club’s annual fundraiser, ShrimpFeast, is scheduled for Friday, April 5, at Cruise Terminal 5, Port Canaveral.  Funds raised go towards scholarships, RHS HELM program and our other education and community outreach and events.  All the fun is back including Live Auction with Sheriff Ivey, Silent Auction, Live Music with the Mango Brothers Band, Door Prizes, Hawaiian Shirt Contest, and free drink tickets.  Tickets must be purchased in advance and will NOT be sold at the door.  Register here:  ShrimpFeast 2024

TRASH BASH 2024
The Propeller Club will participate with the Canaveral Port Authority in Keep Brevard Beautiful’s Trash Bash on April 6 from 8 am to noon at the Freddie Patrick Park Boat Ramp, Port Canaveral.  KBB holds the Trash bash event every year as part of the Great American Cleanup!
 
 
PROPELLER CLUB OF PORT CANAVERAL

2023 MEMBER OF THE YEAR
DENNIS THOMPSON

The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral has named Dennis Thompson 2023 Member of the Year. Dennis is a founding member of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral, is a long time Board Member and a Past President. He is passionate about the club and the maritime industry and he works tirelessly towards furthering the club’s missions and activities. He served as the International Propeller Club Southeast Regional Vice President for three years, 2010 – 2012, helping to build the region into an influential voice in the IPC. He has had a passion for helping to establish new clubs and bringing dormant clubs back to life. Dennis earned an MBA from Anna Maria University and currently serves as a Trustee for the institution. He has had a long and successful career as an Insurance Agent. He is a well known drummer on the local music scene and brings his talents to some of the annual Propeller Club functions. The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral is honored to recognize Dennis Thompson for his dedication and service to the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral, the International Propeller Club, and our community. The presentation was made at the club’s annual ShrimpFeast fundraiser held on April 14 by club President Kevin Jobes. Congratulations to Dennis Thompson!

MARCH LUNCHEON
The guest speaker at the March Luncheon was Wayne Justice, RADM, USCG (Ret), Vice Chairman of the Port Commission. He provided an update on port operations, capital projects and talked about the job of being a port commissioner. Justice highlighted the resurgence of the Cruise industry and the record-breaking revenues and amount of passengers coming through the port. He mentioned the construction of new parking garage facilities, new cargo berths and the purchase of a new mobile cargo crane. Other topics covered during Q&A from the attendees included possible future berths for Space Industry vessels and construction of a new SR 401 bridge and the widening of SR 528. Diane Luensmann, the port’s Vice President of Government & Strategic Communications gave an update on the status of these road projects with FDOT.

FEBRUARY HAPPY HOUR

We had a great turnout for our first networking Happy Hour of the Year held at Rising Tide Tap & Table!  This was our member Appreciation/Welcome New Members/Recruit New Members event.  Thank you to all who came out and “Welcome Aboard” to our newest members!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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