FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 31, 2014

Contact: Andy Fobes, TPA PR Director, 813.905.5132 or afobes@tampaport.com

TAMPA, Fla.— Port Tampa Bay is pleased to announce the recent gubernatorial appointment of Gregory Celestan as newest commissioner for Florida’s largest port. Celestan, appointed for a four-year term by Gov. Rick Scott, is expected to attend his first official board meeting April 15.

Originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., Celestan is founder and CEO of Celestar Corporation, a consulting firm that provides support to the U.S. government and private industries worldwide, headquartered in Tampa. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army after 25 years of service. He was selected as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of Florida in 2010. Some of his local involvements include a seat as a trustee on the board of the Bank of Tampa; member of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation Board and member of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay. He is also a Past Chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. He attended the University of Washington and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Celestan’s board term will end Nov. 25, 2017.

“We look forward to working with our new port commissioner, Greg Celestan, who has been a very active and well-respected professional in Tampa for a long time. Our excellent board of commissioners will be enhanced by the impressive leadership skills and savvy that Mr. Celestan will bring to the table, and I am looking forward to his impact upon the board, the port community and to the momentum of our world-class port,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

Tampa Port Authority regular board meetings are held at 9:30 a.m., the third Tuesday of each month, at the port authority’s headquarters, 1101 Channelside Drive, in Tampa. The monthly board meeting agenda is posted prior to the meetings, on the port authority web site.

About Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port and the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. The port was recently voted “Simply the Best” for world-class customer service in a Logistics Management Magazine reader poll. For more information, visit www.portTB.com

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