Tampa Port Authority hosts Export-Import Bank officials at roundtable
Pictured: Richard Wainio, port director and CEO, Tampa Port Authority; Wanda Felton, First VP, Export-Import Bank of the United States; Scott Schloegel, Senior VP for Congressional Affairs, also with Ex-Im Bank. (photo by A. Fobes)
TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority was pleased to host the First Vice President and Vice Chair of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States, Wanda Felton, for a luncheon and roundtable discussion today with a diverse group of approximately 25 business leaders from the Tampa region’s international trade community.
The roundtable discussion focused on the importance of exports to the U.S. economy and the critical role the Ex-Im Bank can play to support and facilitate U.S. export trade. Vice Chair Felton was nominated to her position by President Obama on April 8, 2011. Also representing Ex-Im bank and helping facilitate the discussion was Scott Schloegel, senior vice president for Congressional affairs.
Tampa Port Authority Port Director and CEO, Richard Wainio, expressed his appreciation to Vice Chair Felton for taking part in this event stating, “International trade is the lifeblood of the U.S. seaports, and I greatly appreciate Vice Chairwoman Felton’s commitment to meet with business leaders in our region to discuss ways the Ex-Im Bank can support the vital work of our export community.”
One of the nation’s largest and most cargo-diverse seaports, a major cruise home port, and shipbuilding and repair center, the Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west-central Florida, generating nearly 100,000 jobs and $8 billion in annual economic impact. For more information about Florida’s largest port, visit www.tampaport.com.