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On December 9, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of former U.S. Navy officer Carol Craig to the Board of Commissioners of the Canaveral Port Authority. The move fills the commission seat left vacant by the death of longtime chairman Wayne Justice, giving Craig a pivotal role in overseeing one of Florida’s and the world’s most important seaports.
From Naval Flight Officer to Port Commissioner
Craig brings a distinctive background to the role. She is the founder and chief executive officer of both Sidus Space and Craig Technologies, marking her as a veteran aerospace and defense entrepreneur. Her earlier career includes service as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy, giving her both civilian and military credentials.
Her educational credentials are substantial. Craig holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Knox College, another bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, along with a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is also pursuing an MBA at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Stepping Into the Vacancy
Craig’s appointment comes in the wake of the passing of Retirement Coast Guard Admiral Wayne Justice on November 8, 2025. Justice had served on the board since 2014, including several terms as chairman. Members of the Port community praised him for more than a decade of leadership in maritime operations, commerce, and port development.
Now Craig inherits a role central to shaping the future of the port, from cruise operations and cargo throughput to deeper involvement with space-related logistics. Her aerospace background seems well aligned with the growing demand at the port for supporting not just traditional maritime commerce but also cargo and logistics tied to the state’s expanding space and defense sectors.
Port Canaveral’s Strategic Reach
Port Canaveral is more than a cruise hub. Established in 1953 under state law, the port operates under the guidance of the Canaveral Port Authority. The authority’s Board of Commissioners sets policy on fiscal, regulatory, and operational matters. The port annually handles millions of tons of cargo and millions of cruise passengers, making it one of Florida’s busiest and most economically important ports.
Port Canaveral supports a diverse array of operations: cruise terminals, cargo handling, container shipping, bulk liquids, and even logistics linked to aerospace and naval operations. The port’s mix of deep-water berths, cargo capacity, and strategic proximity to aerospace infrastructure gives it a unique role in Florida’s economic and security ecosystem.
Given Craig’s background in aerospace and defense contracting, her presence on the board may signal increased attention to the port’s role in space-related logistics, cargo support for launches or aerospace manufacturing, and possibly strengthening ties between maritime, defense, and space industries.
What’s Next
Craig’s appointment is effective immediately, though it is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
As the port continues to expand its cargo and cruise operations, and as Florida’s space industry grows, the choices made by the Board of Commissioners will be closely watched by regional stakeholders from businesses and labor to environmental and aviation interests.
Expect Craig’s first months on the board to involve:
For residents of Brevard County and aerospace watchers across Florida, Craig’s appointment represents a potentially significant shift in how Port Canaveral might leverage the growing nexus of maritime, cargo, cruise, and space operations.
