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CEO's legal and business foundation key to management success
Port CEO focuses on market expansion and diversity in cruise, cargo and tenant businesses

by Kathy Hagood
Brevard Technical Journal

J. Stanley Payne, the Canaveral Port Authority's new chief. Photo by Craig Rubadoux, © 2004.

J. Stanley Payne, the Port Canaveral Authority's new chief executive officer, believes in management by walking around.

He's not content just to read staff reports and study accounting figures, he wants to get to know his staff and hear their suggestions.

When parking attendants mentioned to him that the blue caps they were assigned were hot and asked for the return of pith helmets, he agreed with the change.

Now blue pith helmets are part of the attendants' uniform. Landscaping and other outdoor staff are being issued helmets as well.

"Once they saw the parking lot attendant's helmets, they wanted their own, of course," Payne said.

Because Payne respects his outdoor staff's needs, he's also made sure to include a station with plenty of ice and Gatorade, as well as water.

Of his staff of 180, 100 work outside in the sometimes broiling heat.

Payne periodically meets with union officials to address issues and promote a good working relationship.

Keeping workers happy is one of Payne's priorities because it's the right thing to do. He also knows that one of the keys to good customer service is a contented workforce.

"When our customers are here on vacation or to take a break, we want every part of their experience to be enjoyable, including their interactions with our staff," Payne said. "It only takes one unpleasant interaction to sour someone's view of our port and we don't want that to happen."

Payne was brought on board as the authority's chief executive officer and senior vice president in January as part of a succession plan for Malcolm "Mac" McLouth, who recently retired.

"Mac served as a commissioner for many years before becoming CEO, so he brought that political experience to the table," Payne said.

Payne on the other hand brings a diverse legal and business background, including port authority work, as well as a set of fresh eyes.

"Things are sometimes done a certain way for reasons that are 20 years old and no longer apply," Payne said. "I'm looking at everything and questioning why it's done the way it's done and determining if there's a better way."

But Payne isn't hesitant to backtrack on changes or modify then if need be.

"The main thing is to be willing to take a stand to make an improvement, then fine tune changes when necessary," Payne said. "We want to continue to build upon our reputation as a first class port."

Payne's vision for the port is to strengthen and diversify its three business areas: cruise and cargo business and tenants.

He wants to broaden the port's cargo markets, build a terminal for port of call ships and continue to foster tenant business growth.

Among changes he's made already is the institution of a department for directly addressing tenant concerns.

"Our tenants used to get bounced around among various staff members. Now we've got specific people designated to work with them," he said.

Born in Rome, Ga., Payne grew up near Washington, D.C., Payne graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He then received a degree in law from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary.

He served as the general counsel of the Virginia Port Authority in Norfolk, Va., after practicing corporate and transportation law in Washington, D.C.

Payne's position with the authority grew to include management of it 120-person police department, governmental relations and spearheading the authority's 50-foot outbound channel deepening project.

He was promoted to deputy executive director and served as chairman of the Security Committee of the American Association of Port Authorities and president of the North Atlantic Ports Association. Payne later became executive vice president of Meehan Overseas Terminals in Richmond.

Then Bassett Furniture Industries CEO Robert Spilman, who formerly served at the VPA's chairman, tapped Payne to become vice president, corporate secretary and general counsel of the company.

Payne's next position was as deputy general counsel and director of legal affairs for LifeStyle Furnishings International. At the time, LifeStyle was the world's largest furniture company and parent of Henredon, Drexel-Heritage, Lexington Home Brands, and Berkline.

He then served as vice president, law and administration for Lexington, manufacturer and marketer of furniture brands for Nautica, Tommy Bahama, Waverly, Liz Claiborne, and Bob Timberlake.

Payne has spent his early months at the port getting to know its many aspects. He intends to get back to coaching sports and broadening his community involvement as his steep learning curve levels off, he said.

"I've spent much of my time during the past months at the port learning how it operates, not just during the week, but also on the weekends," he said.

His family recently joined him in Brevard County. He, his wife, Carol, and sons Logan, 13, Connor, 11, and daughter, Christianna, 9, live in Satellite Beach.

For more information on Payne and Port Canaveral, visit www.portcanaveral.org.