The Port of Palm Beach has been awarded a Lighthouse Award by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) for its outstanding administrative practices, particularly in relation to its revamped Summer Internship Program. The AAPA, representing over 130 public ports across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America, annually honors programs that exemplify excellence within the port industry.
Cary S. Davis, AAPA President & CEO, stated: “To better serve the global economy and their respective local communities, ports are constantly upgrading and updating their assets. AAPA’s Lighthouse Awards are an exciting opportunity to showcase and celebrate the port industry’s most outstanding innovative projects and steadfast commitment to excellence. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone involved in this unique privilege.”
Port of Palm Beach Public Information Officer Yaremi Farinas and HR Manager Raquel Rivera accepted the award at the AAPA’s Annual Convention held in Boston. This marks the first time that the port has received an award for excellence in administrative practices.
Wayne M. Richards, Chairman of the Port of Palm Beach District Board, expressed gratitude: “We are honored to receive this recognition. Our program encourages students from all academic backgrounds to explore diverse career opportunities, and we believe that this award validates our efforts to create meaningful experiences for our interns.”
The acknowledgment highlights the innovative approach of Port staff and their dedication to fostering future leaders within the community. Farinas noted: “This initiative is truly a team effort. All department supervisors are actively involved in supporting our interns and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in any field they choose.”
The eight-week paid internship program is primarily funded through donations from several port tenants. It offers opportunities across various fields such as accounting, finance, procurement, administration, communications, human resources, IT, port operations, engineering, planning, and tenant relations.
In addition to Palm Beach's accolade, Port Tampa Bay also received an AAPA Administrative Practices award in the Large Port Category.