Bill Johnson
As Director of the Port of Miami, Bill Johnson oversees the top container port in the State of Florida and the 11th largest in the nation. Under his stewardship, the Port of Miami has maintained its leadership position as the busiest cruise port in the world with more than four million passengers traveling through its terminals each year.
Appointed Port Director in 2006, Johnson has presided over a period of significant change and investment in port operations and facilities. In concert with the state and federal governments, the Port of Miami has embarked on the largest capital improvement program in its history. Projects include construction of a seaport tunnel to improve port access and the minus-50 foot deep dredge project that will make the Port of Miami one of only three U.S. seaports on the Eastern Seaboard that can accommodate the world’s largest container vessels.
The Port of Miami is recognized as one of Florida’s, and the nation’s, leading ports in safety and security. As well, the Port of Miami has one of the industry’s most technologically advanced cargo gate facilities and was recognized in 2009 by the American Association of Port Authorities as a national leader in technology. And, for the four years of Director Johnson’s term, the Port, the second largest economic engine in Miami-Dade County, has strengthened its financial position to its highest level in 12 years.
Mr. Johnson has more than 30 years of experience in Miami-Dade County government as an accomplished administrator and project manager. Serving as an Assistant County Manager for 9 years, Mr. Johnson was responsible for the management of the County’s largest departments including: aviation, seaport, building and building code compliance; planning and zoning; business development and the Office of Capital Improvements for implementation of the County’s $3 billion annual capital budget.
During his tenure with Miami-Dade government, Mr. Johnson has built a reputation as a key trouble-shooter and problem-solver for large and difficult projects. Under his leadership, issues related to several complex projects including construction of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing development of the American Airlines Arena and land issues related to the former Homestead Air Force Air Base, were resolved and the projects brought to a successful conclusion.Arts of Miami-Dade County,
Mr. Johnson has served in numerous leadership positions in the community. He is currently Chair of the World Trade Center Miami Advisory Board and oversees statewide legislative affairs for the Florida Ports Council and Florida’s 14 deep water ports. He has served as a member of the Beacon Council Board of Trustees, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Chaired the Miami Beach Latin Chamber for 3 years, and was the Chair of the Miami-Dade County Review Committee; the entity responsible for designation of minority and business measures on County contracts.
He joined County government in 1980 as a Management Trainee and has been a lifelong proponent of professional public administration. Mr. Johnson is a native of Akron, Ohio and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee.
