Clark Merritt was selected as the Director of the Port of Pensacola by Mayor Grover Robinson and confirmed by City Council in June of 2021. He is directly responsible for overseeing all port operations, personnel, and cargo activities as one of the City of Pensacola’s three major enterprises.
He has previously served as the Deputy Port Director since October 2019, after starting with the Port of Pensacola in 2013 as the Port Business Development Manager.
A native of Pensacola with deep family ties to local maritime commerce, he graduated from the University of Florida and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy. He served on active duty with tours in tactical aviation squadrons, including combat operations during the first Gulf War and as the maintenance officer for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels). He retired from the Navy Reserves as a Commander completing over 21 years of service.
As the Deputy Port Director, he was instrumental in several successful projects including Pensacola Bay Ferries establishment, Streamline Boats of Northwest Florida expansion, the growth of Offshore Inland's Marine Maintenance Repair and Overhaul services, and various environmental programs such as Green Marine qualification and Audubon Florida's rooftop nesting program on port warehouses. He also managed a $3.6 million berth six rehab project, Pensacola Bay Oysters establishment, American Magic sailing team training facility, and approximately $11 million in repairs at the Port of Pensacola following Hurricane Sally.