Governor Ron DeSantis announces the appointment of Carol Craig to the Canaveral Port Authority board of commissioners

Tallahassee, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis has selected Carol Craig, a well-known figure in Florida’s technology and aerospace community, to join the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. The appointment places a longtime Navy veteran and accomplished entrepreneur in a key leadership role at one of the nation’s most active ports, adding another layer of expertise to a board already shaped by decades of maritime development.

Craig is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sidus Space and Craig Technologies, two companies that have made a mark in the growing commercial space and engineering sector. Her appointment reflects the increasingly close ties between Florida’s ports and its space industry, especially along the Space Coast, where commercial launches, research partnerships and high-tech manufacturing continue to expand.

Before building her companies, Craig served as a Naval Flight Officer, a role that helped establish her career in advanced technology and systems engineering. Her military background continues to influence her civic involvement. She remains active in organizations connected to national defense and technological advancement, including the National Defense Industrial Association and the Florida Institute of Technology College of Engineering Advisory Board. She has also contributed time to workforce and business development initiatives, previously serving on the CareerSource Brevard Board of Directors and the Florida Chamber Small Business Council.

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Her academic path is just as extensive. Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Knox College, followed by a second bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She later obtained a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition to her professional commitments, she is continuing her education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners oversees one of Florida’s most dynamic economic hubs, responsible for commercial shipping, cruise operations and industrial activity that supports thousands of jobs along the Space Coast. Craig’s appointment adds a leader with deep technical expertise and a track record of building companies tied to engineering, innovation and national security.

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Governor DeSantis’ announcement highlights a continued effort to place technically skilled and industry-experienced leaders in statewide positions that influence infrastructure, economic strategy and long-term regional growth. Craig’s background in both the private sector and the military positions her to contribute to the Port’s development as it navigates rising demand in shipping, tourism and aerospace support.

Her appointment is expected to strengthen the Port’s connections to emerging industries and ongoing efforts to prepare for future growth across Florida’s coastal economy.