Staff
Chief of Staff: Vacant
Deputy Chief of Staff: Lauren Vint
Special Legal and Operations Advisor: Joel Graham
White House Liaison: Glenn Goetchius
Public Affairs Specialist: Melina Reilly
Confidential Assistant: Pearce Lewis
Contact
Phone: (202) 523-5911
Email: Chairman@fmc.gov
Biography
Chairman Laura DiBella of Florida was nominated by President Trump on September 3, 2025, to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2028. The United States Senate confirmed her nomination on December 18, 2025, and she was sworn in on January 6, 2026. President Trump designated Laura DiBella to serve as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission on January 28, 2026.
Chairman DiBella previously served as Florida’s first female Secretary of Commerce, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, and President of Business Development at the Florida Department of Commerce where she was tasked with maintaining and improving Florida’s $1.5 trillion economy. Most recently, before joining the Federal Maritime Commission, Chairman DiBella worked as a government affairs advisor for Adams and Reese LLP.
Her career in the maritime industry began after being asked to temporarily stand-in as Port Director of the Port of Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority in 2017 while heading up local economic development in Nassau County, Florida. After a two-and-a-half-year tenure with the port, along with an introduction to the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, Chairman DiBella earned her role as the first-ever full time Executive Director in November 2019. In these positions, Chairman DiBella oversaw the implementation of port improvement projects and worked with state and private organizations to enact legislation and policies to bolster and protect commerce at Florida’s seaports.
Chairman DiBella earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Business Administration and Management from the University of Florida. She is an avid distance runner, having completed the original six world marathon majors and holds the record for the number of overall female winner titles for the world famous 7 Mile Bridge Run in the Florida Keys.
Recent News
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Chairman DiBella Statement on Net-Zero Framework
The Net-Zero Framework (NZF), currently under consideration at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aiming for net-zero emissions in the maritime sector by the year 2050.…
Categories: Laura DiBella
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Statement of Commissioners Harvey and DiBella on the Seaport Security Act of 2026
Congressman Patronis recently introduced House Resolution 9229, the Seaport Security Act of 2026, to strengthen protections for America’s port and maritime infrastructure against the growing threat posed by unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flights, commonly…
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Statement of Chairman DiBella on China’s Continuing Detentions of Panama-Flagged Vessels
I reiterate the concerns I expressed in March about China’s weaponization of port state control inspections against vessels flagged in Panama. These retaliatory inspections, far exceeding historical norms, have continued with no sign of abatement.…
Categories: Laura DiBella
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Testimony of Chairman DiBella Before Congress – Future of United States Maritime: Review of Fiscal Year 2027 Maritime Administration and Federal Maritime Commission Budget Requests
Statement of Laura DiBella Chairman Federal Maritime Commission Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure U.S. House of Representatives Chairman Ezell, Ranking Member Carbajal, and members of the…
Categories: Laura DiBella
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Chairman DiBella Meets with Local Supply Chain Experts in Tacoma, Anchorage, and Juneau
From May 18 – May 22, FMC Chairman Laura DiBella traveled to Tacoma, WA; Anchorage, AK; and Juneau, AK for meetings with shipping stakeholders and transportation officials to discuss specific challenges in the Pacific Northwest…
Categories: Laura DiBella
Upcoming Chairman Appearances
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Chairman DiBella will Deliver Keynote at SCG Legal Annual Meeting
September 17, 2026 | Washington, DC Chairman DiBella will deliver the keynote address at the SCG Legal Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Past Chairman Appearances
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Chairman DiBella Speaking at Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference
September 9, 2026 | Colombo, Sri Lanka Chairman DiBella will speak at inaugural Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference on September 9, 2026.
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Chairman DiBella Delivering Keynote Address at Airforwarders Association Town Hall
August 20, 2026 | Virtual Chairman DiBella will deliver the keynote address at the Airforwarders Association virtual town hall.
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Chairman DiBella Speaking at 1640 Society Event
August 17, 2026 | Hamptons, NY Chairman DiBella will speak at a 1640 Society event on August 17, 2026.
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Chairman DiBella Speaking at Department of Transportation ECMC Meeting
August 11, 2026 | Washington, DC Chairman DiBella will deliver remarks at the U.S. Exporters Competitive Maritime Council meeting held at the Department of Transportation on August 11, 2026.