DPI: President Trump Nominates Two New FMC Commissioners

President Donald Trump nominated Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey to be Commissioners at the Federal Maritime Commission. DiBella is nominated for a term expiring June 30, 2028, and Harvey is nominated for a term expiring June 30, 2029. Both DiBella and Harvey are from Florida. President Trump did not designate either nominee as the FMC Chairman. The FMC has been without a Chairman since June 2025 when Chairman Louis Sola departed the position.

DiBella is currently a government relations advisor at the law firm, Adams & Reese. Prior to joining Adams & Reese, DiBella served as President of Business Development at FloridaCommerce, President/CEO at Enterprise Florida, and President of the Florida Opportunity Fund. DiBella also has prior maritime experience. She was the Executive Director of Florida Harbor Pilots Association from 2019 to 2022. She also served as Port Director of Port of Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority from 2017 to 2019. Prior to that she worked as the Executive Director of Nassau County Economic Development Board. She has also been a Florida licensed real estate broker for over 20 years.

Harvey currently serves as General Counsel for Enterprise Florida, Inc. and as Executive Director for both the Florida Opportunity Fund, Inc. and the Florida Development Finance Corporation. Prior to joining these entities, Harvey was a founding partner of the law firm Jenks & Harvey LLP in West Palm Beach, specializing in securities litigation, arbitration, and regulation. Harvey began his career with the United States Navy, where he served on active duty from 1987 to 1990 as a Navy Judge Advocate and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

DiBella and Harvey’s nominations are now under consideration in the U.S. Senate. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on October 22, 2025 to consider the nominations. The Senate has not yet confirmed either nomination.