Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Dennis Manelli, General Counsel for Hendry Marine Industries, to the Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Manelli was sworn in during Port Tampa Bay's Board Meeting on April 20, 2021. 

Manelli served on the Propeller Club Board of Directors from 2007-2016 and was President in 2013. He also served on the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association Board for 10 years and continues to serve on the American Victory Ship Board. “The Tampa Bay maritime community is an integral part of who I am professionally and personally,” said Manelli. “Being appointed to the Port Tampa Bay board is a tremendous honor, and I hope to use my new position to maintain the Port’s trajectory of strategic, healthy growth.”  

A Tampa native, Manelli has spent most of his career in the maritime industry. After receiving his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida, he served as the very first in-house counsel for the Tampa Port Authority. Manelli joined Hendry in 2009, after seven years as a partner at distinguished regional law firm Phelps Dunbar LLP.  

Manelli replaces outgoing Chairman Steve Swindal, who has served on the board since 2008.