Johnson takes helm at Miami

Johnson takes helm at Miami Bill Johnson, who was most recently Miami-Dade assistant county manager and who is a candidate to become the permanent director for the Port of Miami, took over Tuesday as the acting director of the port.
   Johnson replaces director Charles Towsley, who served as port director for eight years. Towsley's last day was Monday. He now plans to become a port consultant, a decision he announced April 30.
   Johnson was appointed by county manager George Burgess, who commented Tuesday, 'Bill has firsthand knowledge and understanding of the port, its relationship to our community, and its economic significance. This know-how is essential for the port's continued growth and revitalization.'
      Johnson has been a Miami-Dade County employee for 26 years. As assistant county manager, he had county-level oversight over the Port and Aviation departments, and was responsible for improving operations and efficiencies at other departments.
   In the area of international trade, Johnson was the county manager's liaison for the county's International Trade Consortium. In that role, Johnson participated in numerous trade missions.
   'I look forward to working with the many stakeholders of the Port of Miami to develop solutions to existing issues and enhancing its growth and global competitiveness,' Johnson said Tuesday.
   Johnson said last week he will have a better idea of whether he will want to become permanent director after 60 days as acting director, at which time he and Burgess will make a decision on the long-term status of the job.