Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 31, 2017 2:26 p.m.
Val Schwec, Commercial Director of the Port of Fernandina, will be moving on to new opportunities in a couple of weeks. Schwec, who began serving the Port as Nassau Terminals operations manager in 1988, continued following Kinder Morgan’s acquisition of the terminals in 2001. Today he serves as Commercial Director for the Southeast Region for Kinder Morgan Terminals.
In response to an inquiry from the Fernandina Observer, Schwec wrote: “I’m not retiring. I still have some good years left and hope to keep working as long as I’m having fun and enjoying the challenges. I actually came across a great opportunity to work at another terminal as a VP reporting directly to the President and owner. As it happens often, the best opportunities come around when you not necessarily looking for it. I don’t have to move and will continue enjoying Amelia Island. “
Schwec’s Fernandina Beach and Nassau County colleagues were surprised by his announcement. As word slowly made its way around the community this week, people expressed both a sense of personal loss and many questions regarding his replacement. Those questions remain unanswered at this time.
Ocean Highway and Port Authority Chair Adam Salzburg issued the following statement: “On behalf of the board of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority both past and present, we would like to thank Val Schwec for his many years of service at the Port of Fernandina. Mr. Schwec has been here for over 28 years and worked cooperatively with the Port Authority the entire time. Mr. Schwec has been a tremendous asset to our community and a valued member of the shipping industry throughout the entire state of Florida. We are saddened to see him leave his position at the port, but we wish him well in all his future endeavors. Thankfully he will remain living here, and we look forward to seeing him around. So again, thank you Val.”
On hearing the news, Laura DiBella, Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board, wrote: “Val’s commitment to economic development here in Nassau County has been unwavering since his arrival. His participation on the NCEDB’s board, coupled with his insight and customer referrals, have been the foundation of a great relationship and he will certainly be missed. We wish him all the best and thank him for his service.”
The Port of Fernandina is operated by Nassau Terminals, LLC, a Kinder Morgan subsidiary under a long-term contract with the Ocean Highway and Port Authority. Under the agreement, Nassau Terminals provides marketing, terminal handling, business administration and stevedoring services at the Port of Fernandina. Schwec has been the public face of the Port for almost 30 years.
Danny Leeper, current chair of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, was stunned to hear the news. Leeper, who has worked with Schwec both in his current position and in his previous role as Port Commissioner, said that Schwec had a calm, level-headed approach to his job, which entailed walking a delicate line between the Port Authority and his Kinder Morgan employer. He said that Schwec stayed out of politics and has always been well respected in the port community throughout the region.
Leeper singled out Schwec’s strength in building relationships, which sometimes can take years to materialize into actual business for the port. Leeper said that with his deep knowledge of financial and operational matters, Schwec’s departure is a loss to the port and the community.
No further information is available at this time.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.