Port Manatee's board names Bellamy chair

Reggie Bellamy, commissioner of Manatee County, Florida, this week was elected to serve a one-year term as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority, which oversees Port Manatee.

Bellamy was the board's first vice chairman since Jan. 1. As chair, he succeeds Priscilla Whisenant Trace, port authority officials said in a press release.

Also selected to serve one-year port board officer terms, effective Jan. 1, 2021, are: Misty Servia, first vice chairwoman; James Satcher, second vice chairman; and Carol Whitmore, third vice chairwoman.

Also serving as board are members Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse and Kevin Van Ostenbridge. Board members serve staggered four-year terms.

Port Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal. The port's short line directly connects to a CSX mainline, which is less than a mile from the port's north gate.