Pensacola port chief eyes growth

Pensacola port chief eyes growth Clyde Mathis, the new director at the Port of Pensacola, says he thinks the port's greatest growth potential lies in trade with Mexico and Central America.
   Mathis, a Pensacola native who had been director of marketing and business development at the Port of New Orleans, told the Pensacola News Journal that the port infrastructure best lends itself to the vessels used in the Mexico and Central America trades.
   'We need to look to Mexico and Central America to be our target to expand our business,' he said. 'The smaller vessels that call on those type ports would be perfect for our port here.'
   He also said he thinks Pensacola has the potential to be a player in the domestic, short sea shipping market.
   'I think a small port like Pensacola can excel in that,' Mathis commented.
   Returning to his home town after spending some 25 years in various maritime industry jobs, Mathis is the second member of his family to hold a prominent position within the city government. His brother John is the chief of police.