Governor names port security panel

Governor names port security panel Gov. Jeb Bush has named the members of the new Seaport Security Standards Advisory Council that was created by this year's modified state maritime security laws.
   The 10-member panel, as mandated in the legislation, is chaired by the director of the Office of Drug Control. The current director is William Janes. It also includes representatives from four seaports, including two port directors and two port security directors. High-ranking officials from five departments in the state government round out the council.
   The port officials on the council include Port of Jacksonville executive director Rick Ferrin and Port Canaveral chief executive officer Joe S. Payne, plus Kenneth Hern,    director of port security at the Port of Palm Beach; and Frank Holden, director of seaport security for the Manatee County Port Authority.
   State officials on the council include Pamella Dana, director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; Mark Zadra, special agent in charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Alvis 'Darrell' Liford, director of the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; Graham Fountain, director of the Office of Motor Carrier Compliance at the Florida Department of Transportation; and Thomas Wheeler, director of law enforcement relations in the Office of the Attorney General.
         Under the legislation passed this year, the council was created to give input on the ongoing applicability of various sections of the port security laws. For example, if a new form of technology is developed to address port security, the panel would make a recommendation on possible changes in existing standards and regulations.
   The council must meet at least once every four years.