Taniel Koushakjian
For Port Of Palm Beach Commission
“The Port’s business is business.”
Collaborative Leadership
Palm Beach County deserves a fully functioning Port Commission that works together to deliver results. T.K. will work to fill the 10-month vacant seat, end the gridlock, and provide the collaborative leadership needed to move the Port of Palm Beach forward.
T.K. Supports:
- Filling the vacant Commission seat immediately.
- Working collaboratively with Palm Beach County and all of the municipalities in the Port District to position the Port for its next generation of growth.
- Improving communication and engagement with the more than 400,000 residents of the Port of Palm Beach District.
- Building strong partnerships in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to secure federal and state grants and infrastructure funding for the Port.
- Charter reforms to ensure a Port Commission vacancy can never remain unfilled for an extended period again.
More Jobs & Economic Opportunity
The Port of Palm Beach is one of our region’s greatest economic engines. T.K. believes the Commission should focus on creating jobs, expanding economic opportunity, and strengthening Palm Beach County’s maritime economy.
T.K. Supports:
- Conducting an Economic Impact Study needed to attract additional cruise ships and infrastructure investment.
- Adding more cruise ships, including a luxury cruise liner.
- Investing in modern infrastructure to improve passenger and cargo operations.
- Prioritizing qualified local businesses and local workers in the Port’s procurement process.
- Establishing a Port Apprenticeship Program partnership with local schools, colleges, and trade organizations to strengthen the maritime workforce.
Stronger Infrastructure & Public Safety
A modern port requires modern infrastructure. T.K. will work to secure the investments needed to keep the Port competitive, improve operations, strengthen public safety, and prepare for future growth.
T.K. Supports:
- Modernizing passenger and cargo facilities to improve efficiency and capacity.
- Aggressively pursuing federal and state infrastructure grants and direct appropriations.
- Strengthening the Port’s physical security and cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and resilience. One example is adding a Palm Beach County Fire Boat.
- Investing in infrastructure that supports economic growth while protecting taxpayers.
- Long-term capital planning, including an updated Master Plan, that ensures today’s investments benefit future generations.
Transparency & Accountability
Residents deserve a Port Commission that they can see. A Commission that operates openly, communicates regularly, and earns the public’s trust with transparency and accountability.
T.K. Supports:
- Televising Port Commission meetings to improve transparency and public access.
- Creating a Citizens Advisory Board to strengthen community engagement and provide residents with a meaningful voice in Port decisions.
- Competitive, transparent procurement that complies with Florida’s Sunshine Law and public purchasing requirements. No more no-bid contracts.
- Proactive communication that keeps residents, businesses, and stakeholders informed about progress and major Port initiatives.
T.K.’s Community Pledge
My pledge is simple: protect what’s working, fix what’s not, and ensure every decision is made in the open, with taxpayers and the community in mind.
The Port of Palm Beach is one of Palm Beach County’s greatest economic assets. It supports nearly 10,000 maritime jobs, processes more than $14 billion in commodities each year, welcomes nearly 400,000 cruise passengers, and has not levied a property tax since 1975.
My goal is to build on that success by growing our maritime economy, investing in infrastructure, bringing more cruise ships, and providing the transparent, accountable, forward-looking leadership our community deserves.