The Port of Tampa serves the Tampa/Orlando region, projected to be the fastest growing region of Florida for the next 20 years. The Port puts shippers closer to their primary Florida markets for food and beverage, citrus and juice, furniture, general merchandise, steel, fertilizer, and agricultural products.
Wade Elliott
Wade Elliott joined the Port in 2003 and is responsible for the marketing and business development activities of Port Tampa Bay. Wade has more than 25 years of port marketing, business development and research experience working with clients across the globe, including exporters, importers, ocean carriers, terminal operators and cruise lines. Wade is a graduate of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he also worked as Research Associate conducting economic and policy research in the maritime sector. Wade is the Chairman of the Tampa Foreign Trade Zone, and serves on the board of directors of Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers’ Center and the Tampa Bay International Business Council. Email
Gonzalo Padron
Gonzalo Padron has more than 20 years of sales and business development experience within the maritime transportation industry. His responsibilities include Port Tampa Bay’s outreach and liaison with beneficial cargo owners and ocean carriers, with a particular focus on trade with Latin America. Gonzalo began his career working for ocean carriers Tecmarine Lines and Seaboard Marine, traveling the Caribbean and Latin America extensively. Prior to joining the Port Tampa Bay, he was employed by DHL Global Forwarding as Manager of Strategic Accounts, Datamyne as Business Development Manager – Maritime, and PIERS as Maritime Regional Manager. Email