Laura DiBella

Laura DiBella serves as the Secretary of Commerce, the chief economic development agency charged with retaining and recruiting high-impact industries to the dynamic state’s 67 counties.

A certified Maritime Port Executive, from November 2019 to July 2022, Laura served as the first-ever, full-time Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, the statewide organization that represents the ~100 most highly skilled mariners that navigate nearly all vessel traffic in and out of Florida’s seaports. Charged to represent and further their mission as the “first responders of Florida’s Blue Economy”, she helped ensure the uninterrupted flow of commerce through Florida’s 14 operating deepwater seaports while the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent supply chain crisis ravaged the world.

Previous to the Pilots, from 2014-2019, Laura served as the Executive Director of the Nassau County (Florida) Economic Development Board, as well as, Port Director for the Port of Fernandina, Ocean Highway and Port Authority of Nassau County (2017-2019). While serving both roles she oversaw a number of high-profile recruitment and expansion projects encompassing manufacturing, corporate headquarters, healthcare, and logistics, coupled with many millions in grant funding awards. She was also instrumental in the Federal Marine Highway designation awarded to the Port of Fernandina in 2019.

Laura’s earlier career expands across numerous industries, from manufacturing to marketing, in addition to being a Florida licensed Real Estate Broker for over 20 years – collectively of which delivers extensive experience that has helped her excel in her diverse roles and responsibilities to date.