If you’re trying to hire logistics or energy executives in South Florida right now, you already know how brutal it’s gotten. But here’s the thing—what’s happening at Port Everglades isn’t just making it harder. It’s fundamentally changing what “the right candidate” even looks like.
The port sits where Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach meet, and it’s become one of the most dynamic seaports in the country. According to Port Everglades, they hit a record $215.7 million in revenue during Fiscal Year 2024—that’s an 18% jump from the year before. Numbers like that don’t just happen. They create ripple effects that reach straight into the executive talent market.
“What we’re witnessing in South Florida is a convergence of factors that makes executive hiring in the logistics sector both tremendously challenging and critically important,” said Jim Hickey, President Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale executive search firm. “Port Everglades isn’t just moving cargo—it’s fundamentally reshaping the executive talent landscape in ways that energy companies and logistics firms must understand to remain competitive.”
The Scale Is Staggering
Port Everglades handles over one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) every year. And they’ve climbed from position 89 to 65 in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index—putting them in the top 20% of ports worldwide. That kind of operational excellence doesn’t manage itself. It needs exceptional leaders.
But honestly, the container business is just part of the story. Port Everglades is also South Florida’s primary hub for petroleum products. We’re talking more than 12.5 million gallons of energy products moving through there every single day—jet fuel, gasoline, propane, you name it. About a third of Florida’s energy requirements get stored and distributed by companies operating at this port. They supply jet fuel to four international airports and serve 12 counties.
“For energy companies specifically, Port Everglades represents a strategic nexus that demands executive leadership with specialized knowledge,” Hickey explained. “We’re not just filling positions—we’re identifying leaders who understand the complex interplay between petroleum logistics, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency at a scale that few ports in North America can match.”
The Talent Crunch Is Real
Here’s where it gets tricky. The logistics industry already has a well-documented talent shortage, and it only gets worse as you move up the org chart. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for logisticians to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034. That’s nearly five times faster than average. We’re looking at roughly 26,400 job openings annually across the sector.
And Port Everglades makes this challenge even more intense locally. The port contributes nearly $28.1 billion in annual economic activity. It supports more than 192,000 Florida jobs, with about 11,000 people working directly for port-related companies. That’s an entire ecosystem hungry for executive talent across every discipline—supply chain leaders who can juggle complex multi-modal operations, energy sector executives who know petroleum storage and regulatory affairs inside out, operations leaders who can run high-volume terminals without breaking a sweat, tech leaders driving digital transformation, and financial executives experienced in international trade.
“The competition for executive talent in this space has never been fiercer,” Hickey noted. “Companies operating at or connected to Port Everglades need leaders who bring not only operational expertise but also the vision to navigate ongoing technological transformation and sustainability mandates. Finding that combination of skills and experience requires a strategic, proactive approach to executive recruitment.”
Energy Companies Feel It Most
Energy companies are getting hit particularly hard. Port Everglades is Florida’s second-largest petroleum port. The 12 petroleum terminals and pipeline companies operating there handle approximately 130 million barrels of petroleum products every year, bringing in roughly $45 million in port revenue.
That kind of infrastructure needs executives who can blend technical knowledge with strategic business sense. And here’s the rub—these leaders also have to navigate increasingly complex regulations while optimizing for both efficiency and environmental sustainability. That dual mandate? Not many candidates can actually pull it off.
The investments keep coming, too. The port’s $184-million Slip 1 expansion project—a public-private partnership—will significantly boost petroleum handling capabilities. Capital investments at that scale need executives who can manage implementation while keeping current operations running smoothly. It’s a tall order.
What Actually Works in Executive Recruitment
Given all this, companies connected to Port Everglades are getting smarter about how they hire executives. The old playbook—posting a job and hoping the right person applies—just doesn’t cut it anymore. Not for roles this specialized.
“What separates successful executive searches from unsuccessful ones is often the depth of understanding about what the role truly demands,” Hickey observed. “At Port Everglades, that means recognizing how global supply chain disruptions, evolving technology platforms, and shifting regulatory requirements all intersect to create unique leadership challenges. Generic job descriptions simply won’t attract the caliber of talent these positions require.”
So what does work? Building comprehensive leadership profiles that look at both current needs and where the company’s headed. Working with specialized executive search partners who actually have networks in logistics and energy. Creating compensation packages that reflect just how scarce qualified candidates really are. Playing up South Florida’s quality of life—because that matters more than people think. And building succession pipelines so you’re not scrambling when an executive leaves.
What’s Next
Port Everglades isn’t slowing down. The recent Southport Turning Notch Extension added five new cargo ship berths. Three new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes are up and running. Container throughput jumped 12% in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. All of that growth will only make the executive talent competition more intense.
For energy companies and logistics firms operating in this environment, hiring the right executives is both a huge challenge and a real opportunity. The organizations that lock down top-tier leadership talent will be the ones positioned to ride the port’s expansion and South Florida’s trade-driven growth.
“The next decade will see tremendous transformation in how goods and energy move through South Florida,” Hickey concluded. “The organizations that thrive will be those led by executives who combine deep operational expertise with the adaptability to navigate change. Finding those leaders isn’t easy, but for companies connected to Port Everglades, it’s absolutely essential.”
As Port Everglades cements its position as a global leader in cruise, cargo, and energy operations, the demand for exceptional executive talent will only grow. The companies that understand this—and invest accordingly in how they find and attract leaders—will be the ones that win in one of America’s most dynamic maritime corridors.
