Port Manatee names new No. 2 official

MANATEE — Following a national search, Dave Sanford has been named the new deputy executive director at Port Manatee, officials announced Tuesday.

Sanford, with more than 40 years of maritime industry experience, had moved here in an attempt to retire, but had been persuaded to work at the port as a consultant.

Over the summer, when the port management staff was riven with personnel troubles, Sanford stepped in as interim chief of staff.

In his new assignment, Sanford replaces Robert J. Armstrong, the port’s former deputy executive director and chief financial officer.

Armstrong was charged with a second-degree felony for accessory after the fact after his son, who also worked at the port, was charged with stealing property belonging to the port. The son, Robert B. Armstrong, was fired for abandonment of position.

The elder Armstrong was fired after Carlos Buqueras, the port’s executive director, said he had lost confidence in his deputy executive director.

Both Armstrongs have pleaded not guilty.

Sanford said that, as Port Manatee’s chief operating officer, “My aim is to support our chief executive officer, Carlos Buqueras, in achieving his vision to transform Port Manatee into one of the nation’s premier seaports.”

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter @sarawrites.

This story was originally published November 12, 2013 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Port Manatee names new No. 2 official."