The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has promoted veteran maritime professional Benjamin M. Massa to the position of Director, Ro/Ro, Military and Global Carrier Sales within the Trade Development and Marketing department. In his new role, Massa will work with existing and potential customers to grow roll-on, roll-off (Ro/Ro) cargoes, military shipments and steamship lines services. Massa is based in the New York/New Jersey area and also will coordinate JAXPORT's marketing efforts in the Northeastern United States.

Massa has more than 20 years of experience in the maritime industry. Before joining JAXPORT's marketing staff in 2002, he was senior vice president for the steamship agency Norton Lily International, Inc. Previously, he worked as vice president for U.S. Navigation Inc., as an owner's representative for Barber Blue Sea domiciled in Dammam Saudi Arabia, and as a member of the sales team with Barber Steamship Lines and the Tilston Roberts Corporation.

'Ben has a track record of outstanding service at JAXPORT and in the maritime industry,' said Roy Schleicher, JAXPORT's Senior Director of Trade Development and Marketing. 'His work in the Northeast has helped JAXPORT secure valuable business from prominent global carriers, and he's ready to market JAXPORT's position as an important strategic port for the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as one of the largest Ro/Ro ports in the United States.'

Massa holds a B.A. from the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.