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Port of Miami Director Heidi Webb will step down after more than 30 years with Miami-Dade County, ending a long career in the public sector in which she oversaw the growth of one of the world’s busiest cruise and cargo ports.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniela Levin Cava announced Webb’s retirement on June 4 as part of a broader reorganization of the county leadership team, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The shake-up also includes the immediate retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales and the promotion of Roy Coley to Deputy Mayor.
In announcing the changes, Levine Cava praised Webb’s contributions to the county, calling him a dedicated public servant who played a key role in strengthening PortMiami’s position as a world leader in the cruise and cargo industries.
Mr. Webb’s retirement comes as PortMiami continues to experience significant growth. The port will welcome a record 8.2 million cruise passengers in 2024 and remains a major economic engine for South Florida, supporting billions of dollars in commercial, tourism and trade activity each year.
Deputy Port Director Frederick Wong will serve as interim director while county officials search for a permanent replacement. Mr. Wong joins PortMiami’s management team after serving as chief operating officer of the Jacksonville Port Authority, where he was appointed deputy port director in 2022.
The reorganization of county leadership is not limited to PortMiami. Mr. Morales is retiring effective immediately after serving for more than five years as chief operating officer responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Miami-Dade County government.
As deputy mayor, Cawley will oversee some of the county’s largest departments, including PortMiami, Miami International Airport, Department of Transportation and Public Works, Department of Water and Sewerage, Department of Solid Waste Management, Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Space, Department of Environmental Resources Management, and Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.
The reorganization will also expand the role of Chief of Staff Christopher Hatwalkar, whose office will oversee both the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Miami-Dade Public Library System.
Meanwhile, Public Safety Director Arnold Palmer will be responsible for the Department of Housing and Community Development in addition to his current public safety duties. Commissioner Carla Dennis Edwards will continue to oversee the county’s executive branch as county leaders move forward with efforts to improve efficiency and streamline government services.
