Maritime Employers: Working to Find Workers
Workforce Development Strategic Plan, with 10 priorities, including –Paid internships and payment for work experience;Financially supporting a Tacoma Public Schools certification program;Community engagement regarding maritime careers; andCareer exposure in elementary schools.Last December, port commissioners approved a contract with the training center Workforce Central to expand career pathways through paid work experiences or internships in the areas of building trades, manufacturing trades, maritime and logistics trades, and the environment.At the time, Port of Tacoma Commission President Kristin
Port of Corpus Christi Names Takizawa Director of Trade Development
of customer relationships, new project initiatives and product diversification.“I am excited at the opportunity to join the Port of Corpus Christi, especially as it celebrates 100 years since it was established,” said Yudi Takizawa. “I look forward to working with staff, Port Commissioners and our customers to foster greater economic growth for the Coastal Bend region.”Takizawa spent 14 years with Vopak, most recently as Commercial Manager of Vopak Industrial Infrastructure (a joint venture between Vopak and BlackRock). Prior he acted as the Regional Marketing and Business
Port of Oakland Extends Project Labor Agreement
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners have extended the Port's landmark project labor agreement (PLA) that increases East Bay hiring on Port-related capital projects. Negotiated in 2016, the PLA serves as a model for increasing the number of disadvantaged workers in the construction trades especially the highly competitive list trades. The five-year contract will continue to increase local hiring on Port construction projects, increase the number of disadvantaged workers entering the trades and boost earnings for local workers. The Port’s PLA contributes greatly to the East Bay economy.
Butner Gets a Third Term in Oakland
Cestra “Ces” Butner will serve a third term as President of the Port of Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. President Butner joined the Board of Port Commissioners in 2012. He first served as President from July 2013 to July 2014. He was voted to a second term in July 2018. President Butner founded Horizon Beverage Company, the Oakland-based distributorship serving northern Alameda and western Contra Costa Counties. He sold the company in 2015.
Former Port of Oakland Staffer Returns as Commissioner
Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara Leslie has joined the Port of Oakland’s governing Board of Port Commissioners. Ms. Leslie, a onetime Port Government Affairs Specialist, replaces Earl Hamlin who resigned from the seven-member Board.Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf nominated Leslie for the volunteer post. The City Council appointed her this week.Leslie went to work for the Chamber of Commerce in 2014 as its first woman President and CEO. She has 25 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors, including service as Assistant to the City Manager during
Ponstein Appointed on Port of New Orleans Board
St. Bernard Parish representative on the seven-member regional board. Ponstein was sworn in during today’s monthly Board meeting and will serve a five-year term succeeding William T. Bergeron. With the Port’s acquisition of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad effective Feb. 1, 2018, Port Commissioners also serve as directors of the New Orleans Public Belt board, Ponstein will become NOPB’s newest director with this appointment. “Charles Ponstein is a welcome addition to our Board of Commissioners,” said Brandy D. Christian, Port of New Orleans President and CEO
Port of Portland Director Announces Retirement
Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt formally announced to the Port Commissioners that he will retire from the Port on June 30, 2017. He has led the Oregon port since 2001. Wyatt’s 16-year tenure with the U.S. West Coast port has included major milestones in the organization’s history. At the marine terminals specifically, his legacy includes several hundred million dollars of infrastructure investment made by port marine terminal tenants following the $199 million Columbia River navigation channel deepening project leading to the growth and retention of key waterfront
Christian Heads New Orleans Port as President & CEO
has begun service as the Port’s president and chief executive officer following her two-year tenure as its chief operating officer. “Brandy is an experienced maritime professional with a strategic mindset and clear focus on actionable goals,” said Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners Michael Kearney. “The Board’s competitive national search for a COO was part of an executive succession plan. We had hoped the successful candidate would eventually be able to lead the Port. Brandy exceeded our expectations by quickly understanding our challenges, identifying opportuniti
Colbruno Elected Port of Oakland Board President
Michael Colbruno, a managing partner with the Milo Group of California, has been elected President of the Port of Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners. The former two-term member and past chair of the Oakland Planning Commission was chosen unanimously by the seven-member Board last night. He succeeds Commissioner Earl Hamlin who concludes his one-year tenure as President but remains on the Board. “The Port of Oakland is the main cog in the Bay Area’s economic engine and prides itself in its commitment to the community and promotion of diversity,” said Colbruno.
Oakland Port Director Signs on for 3 More Years
through July 2019. Commissioners unanimously approved the new deal at a meeting last week. “Chris Lytle has transformed the Port of Oakland and raised its visibility as a center for trade, transportation and economic vitality,” said Earl Hamlin, President of the Board of Port Commissioners. “Chris and his staff have the full support of the Board and we look forward to three more years of progress together.” Lytle will continue to manage three primary businesses: a seaport, Oakland International airport and a commercial real estate portfolio. According to
Port of Oakland Boosts Night, Weekend Work
as the Port abandons its traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating model. “The old way doesn’t work any longer,” said Port Executive Director Chris Lytle. “There’s too much business; we have to stay open longer to get cargo in and out of Oakland.” Port Commissioners voted last week to continue through June 30 the fund that partially subsidizes extended gate hours. It had been scheduled to expire this week. Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), which handles 67 percent of Oakland’s cargo, said it will tap the fund immediately.
Cluver, Martinez Join Port of Oakland Commission
Local labor leader Andreas Cluver and long-time community leader Arabella Martinez have been appointed to the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. They join the Board February 11. Nominated by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, the City Council appointed Cluver, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, and Martinez, Vice-Chair of the Latino Community Foundation Board of Trustees at its meeting February 2. Port Commissioners Cluver and Martinez were sworn into office by Schaaf. Cluver's experience includes positions as Secretary-Treasurer, Alameda
Port Canaveral CEO’s Tenure Ends in January
In a 4-to-1 vote today, Port Commissioners and John E. Walsh agreed that his last day as Canaveral’s chief executive officer would be January 21, 2016, the Port announced today. Walsh will continue to serve in the role until that time. No decision has been made yet regarding a successor. “During this transition, we will continue to provide our business partners with the excellent customer service for which Port Canaveral is known,” said Port Chairman Jerry Allender. Walsh has served as CEO since March 2013. He began his tenure with the Port Authority in February 2011 serving as
Port of San Diego Generates $7.6b Regional Impact
more than $7.6 billion a year into the region from employment, sales and purchases of goods and services, according to a recent report. "The data confirms the Port of San Diego is a powerful regional economic engine with substantial benefits reaching far and wide," said Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Dan Malcolm. "As we plan ahead, our goal is to find opportunities for additional economic growth, balanced with public open space and continued investment in the future of the tidelands and the region." The report is based on 2013 data, the most recent year for which
