Gov. DeSantis Appoints Carol Craig to Port Canaveral Board, Fills Vacancy Left by Late Chairman Wayne Justice

CEO and Navy Veteran Appointed to Port Canaveral Commission

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced the appointment of Carol Craig to the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners, filling the seat left vacant following the death of longtime Chairman and Commissioner Admiral Wayne Justice.

Justice, 70, died while in office last month, prompting an outpouring of grief from the Canaveral Port Authority and the Brevard County community. In a statement, the Port Authority called Justice “its esteemed Chairman and longtime Commissioner,” praising his “spirit, enthusiasm, leadership, and passion for the maritime industry.”

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice,” the Port Authority said. “Admiral Justice was elected in 2014 and served continuously, including three times as board chairman. He was a champion for the Port, his beloved Coast Guard, and our Port district community.”

Elected to the Canaveral Port Authority Commission in 2014, Justice served the Port Canaveral community with distinction for more than a decade. He was widely respected for his visionary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to advancing the port’s role in commerce, tourism, and maritime operations.

His long and distinguished career in the U.S. Coast Guard provided invaluable experience that guided his leadership at the Port.

Craig now steps into the role with a background in aerospace, engineering, and military service. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Sidus Space and Craig Technologies and is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served as a Naval Flight Officer.

Active in the community, Craig serves on the National Defense Industrial Association and the Florida Institute of Technology College of Engineering Advisory Board, and previously served on the CareerSource Brevard Board of Directors and the Florida Chamber Small Business Council.

Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Knox College, a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Port Canaveral is one of Florida’s busiest and most economically significant seaports, supporting cruise operations, cargo, and the region’s growing aerospace sector. The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners sets policy and oversees port operations, development, and long-term planning.

Craig’s appointment is effective immediately, pending confirmation by the Florida Senate, according to the Governor’s Office.

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