Posted on October 27, 2025
The returning appointees have long tenures on the Board.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed or reappointed five members to the Tampa Port Authority Governing Board.
DeSantis has reappointed members Chad Harrod, the current Board Chair; Ted Connor, the Vice Chair; and Patrick Allman, the Secretary. He has appointed two others to fill vacancies: Christopher Carrere and Mark Kaplan.
Carrere is a yacht broker for Galati Yacht sales. He also serves as a member of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Executive Committee, the International Yacht Brokers Association, and the Certified Yacht Brokers.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of the South, Sewanee.
Kaplan is retired. He previously served as Vice President of Government and Community Relations at the University of Florida. He also served as Chief of Staff for former Gov. Jeb Bush and was a member of the State Board of Education. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Florida State University.
DeSantis appointed Harrod to the Board in 2019 and is reappointing him for another term. Harrod is the CEO of Harrod Properties and Harrod Healthcare Real Estate. He serves as a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and is the Vice Chair and former Chair for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas.
Connor was also appointed by DeSantis in 2019. He is the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company. He serves as a member of the American Land Title Association’s State Regulatory and Legislative Committee. He previously served as Chair of the Florida Land Title Association Governmental Affairs Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from the University of Florida.
Also a longtime member of the Board, Allman is the General Manager of Odyssey Manufacturing Company and a U.S. Navy veteran who retired with the rank of Captain. Allman is a member of the Tampa Propeller Club and the Southeast Desalting Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tampa.
All appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
