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By: MIASF Staff

Date posted: Jun 28, 2022 Tue

Danny James – Owner, Compass Logistics & Marine LLC

Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here.
Danny James is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, born and raised.  He attended Bethany, St. Marks and Cardinal Gibbons High School before going to Kings Point, NY in 1999 to attend the US Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).  After graduating from the US Merchant Marine Academy and 8 years active duty in the Marine Corps, he transitioned to the reserves and came back to South Florida to get his MBA from Nova Southeastern University and his Customs Broker’s license.  He started Compass Logistics & Marine in 2017.

Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?
Danny James is the Founder & CEO of Compass Logistics and Marine LLC.  Compass Logistics & Marine is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned logistics company headquartered in South Florida. As a Licensed Customs Broker and International Freight Forwarder, they provide logistics services throughout the US and world. The company specializes in customs brokerage, air/ocean import and export, trucking, warehousing for a variety of industries and subsectors to include but not limited to marine, aviation, government, industrial, energy and tech.

How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?
As a Fort Lauderdale native, Danny grew up on the water and around boats. Anything having to do with boats and the water he loved, whether boating, fishing, surfing, wakeboarding, or just cruising. One of Danny’s first jobs was a dock hand and boat washer at Sunny Isles Marina in North Miami. Danny took his passion further and attended the US Merchant Marine Academy, where he studied the marine industry, shipping and logistics and had the opportunity to spend a year at sea as a cadet, travel the world and serve on multiple ships.

What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?
The industry and the people. MIASF serves one of the best and most important industries in South Florida. The small businesses and the people that serve in this industry are exceptional. MIASF plays an important role in representing this industry, its people, and businesses, and ensures it stays strong in the near term and long into the future.

Describe any other community organizations or events with which you are involved?
Danny still serves in the military as a Major in the US Marine Corps (Reserves), where he is just shy of 19 years of service. Additionally, Danny serves on a few boards; Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the Seafarers Board, and recently finished his terms serving on United Way’s Mission United Advisory Board. Supporting community and giving back is important to Danny and his company and in 2021, Danny and his employees donated over $10k to multiple charity organizations to include, but not limited to: Habitat for Humanity, Mission United (United Way), Wounded Warrior Project, Vets Helping Heroes, K9’s for Warriors, Jimmy Fund (Cancer), Alzheimer Association, Easterseals South Florida, Helping Neighbors Feed Neighbors, Just Keep Living, and Abandon Pet Rescue.

Tell us about your hobbies and the kinds of things you do for fun.
When not working and doing military reserve training, Danny loves to spend time with his family: Justine (wife) and three kids Preston (5), Piper (3), and Paxton (1). An ideal weekend will be spent on a boat or at the beach/pool with family.