Commissioner Bios

Group 4
Blair J. Ciklin, Chair

Joining the Board in 197Commissioner Blair J Ciklin7 as its youngest member, Mr. Ciklin has the distinction of being its longest serving Commissioner. As a seasoned veteran, he has helped to guide the Port through many years of landmark growth and change. As first vice president of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in West Palm Beach, he brings the Board broad-based knowledge and experience in both investment banking and financial management. A native of Connecticut and a resident of Palm Beach County since 1967, Mr. Ciklin graduated from Muskingum University in Ohio, and did postgraduate studies at the New York Institute of Finance. He has long been active in the community, serving as a founding member of the Artificial Reef Committee.


Group 5
Deandre J. Poole, Ph.D., Vice Chair

Deandre Poole, Ph.D.Dr. Deandre J. Poole was elected to the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners on November 8, 2022. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. Dr. Poole is a native of West Palm Beach and grew up in the Pleasant City community. Commissioner Dr. Poole is a graduate of Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies Program from Florida Atlantic University, and his Ph.D. in Communication and Culture from Howard University, in Washington, D.C.

Professionally, Dr. Poole has more than 15 years of higher education experience. He serves as a University Instructor, Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Poole specializes in Communication Education, Curriculum Development, Critical-Cultural Pedagogy, Intercultural Theory, Political Communication, and Leadership Training and Development.

In addition, Dr. Poole has served on civic boards and nonprofit committees across Palm Beach County. Currently, he serves as President of the United Faculty of Florida— FAU Chapter, Board Secretary for the Scholastic Achievement Foundation of Palm Beach County, Urban League of Palm Beach County Guild Member, and is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee. Dr. Poole served on the Audit Committee for the Port, served as a member of the Sales-Surtax Advisory Committee and Chaired the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for the City of West Palm Beach.  

Dr. Poole received the 2016 Community Leadership Award presented by the Hispanic Education Coalition and the Jose’ Marti Foundation, in recognition for his outstanding leadership and advocacy for educational excellence and equity for all students in Palm Beach County. He is married to Dr. Stephanie Poole, a local veterinarian specializing in small animal medicine. Commissioner Poole enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, live theater, and spending quality time with family and friends. 

Group 2
Varisa Lall Dass, Secretary/ Treasurer

Varisa Lall Dass

Commissioner Varisa Lall Dass was appointed to serve as port commissioner for Group 2 in December 2022 after she served as the Port Representative to the Citizens Advisory Committee to TPA and the Port Independent Audit Budget Committee. She is a Partner at Kelley Kronenberg and brings a comprehensive knowledge of contractual legal expertise to the Port of Palm Beach where most economic development is contractually governed through leases or other legal agreements. At Kelley Kronenberg, Commissioner Lall Dass litigates first party property homeowner’s insurance defense cases and is dedicated to reducing homeowner insurance premiums by combatting fraud. Under her leadership, the port made record net profit gains in 2023 and 2024, securing its ability to continue in responsible growth without costing taxpayers a cent.     

Prior to entering civil litigation, Commissioner Lall Dass worked as an Assistant State Attorney where she prosecuted violent and non violent felony and misdemeanor offenses. Most notably, she secured a trial victory against a violent defendant which resulted in the defendant being placed on a lifetime sexual offender registry. Commissioner Lall Dass also served as an Assistant Public Defender. Additionally, Commissioner Lall Dass worked as a General Assignment News Reporter where she covered the Jacksonville Landing mass shooting and many gang related homicides.

Commissioner Lall Dass is graduate of Stetson University College of Law, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida. She attended New Horizon’s Elementary School in Wellington for their gifted program prior to its relocation to Binx Elementary, is passionate about education, and is a staunch supporter of the port internship program.  

In additional to serving on the Port Commission and as a full time Law Partner, Lall Dass serves on the Palm Beach County Planning Commission, the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority board, and on the Leadership West Palm Beach Steering Committee for The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches

During her free time, Lall Dass enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends. She is the first Trinidadian-American to serve in an elected office in Palm Beach County.

Group 1
Wayne M. Richards, Commissioner  

COMMISSIONER WAYNE M RICHARDS A Commissioner since 2001, Richards graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. He brings experience in real estate and business law, land use, zoning and governmental affairs to implement his vision for the Port.

A graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Richards is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, NAACP, and Caribbean American for Community Involvement (CAFCI). He enjoys quality time with his wife, Elrika, and their two daughters.