Port NOLA Names Beth Ann Branch President & CEO
;s role as the premier trade and commerce gateway to the Nation.”Branch most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at the Alabama Port Authority in Mobile, a position she held since 2021. Before that, she played a key role in business development and international marketing at the Port of Oakland, where her initiatives led to record container volumes and enhanced operational efficiency."Beth Ann Branch is exactly the kind of leader we need to guide our next phase of growth," said Mike Thomas, Chairman of Port NOLA and NOPB. "Her extensive experience, strategic mindset
Port of Oakland Names Colleen Liang Environmental Director
The Port of Oakland has appointed Colleen Liang as its new Director of the Environmental Programs and Planning (EP&P) division. Liang joined the port in 2000 and has served in every environmental position, most recently as Acting Director of EP&P."I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to lead a great team in the Environmental Programs and Planning division and oversee the port's stewardship of the Oakland waterfront," Liang said.In her new role, Liang will continue to oversee the port’s zero emissions program, environmental compliance, hazardous waste and materials
Port of Oakland appoints its first woman Director of Engineering
c Sánchez joined the port in February as an engineering project manager. She is the first woman and first Latina to serve in this leadership position at the port. Sánchez spent over a decade at BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), where she served in various positions. She managed the development of the Hayward Maintenance Complex, managed the BART Headquarters Tenant Improvement in Oakland, worked on the Earthquake Safety Program and the Oakland Airport Connector.Sánchez brings to the port’s director of engineering position a depth of experience combining technical engineerin
Port of Oakland Appoints Two as Acting Directors
The Port of Oakland appointed two acting directors, replacing retired Port leaders. Colleen Liang was appointed Acting Director of the Environmental Programs and Planning (EP&P) division and Dorin Tiutin was appointed Acting Director of the Commercial Real Estate division. Both are long-time employees of the Port.Colleen Liang assumes the role of Acting Director of EP&P on the heels of the retirement of long-time EP&P Director Richard Sinkoff. Prior to her appointment, Liang served as Environmental Supervisor since 2017.During her 23 years at the Port, Colleen Liang has held a variety of
Business Group Urges Biden to Intervene in West Coast Ports Labor Dispute
container terminal, officials said."Operations going into the weekend seem to be the most normal they've been" since labor disruptions started late last week, Los Angeles port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said, adding that the port has limited weekend hours.Terminal operations at the Port of Oakland, near San Francisco, have also returned to normal, a spokesperson said.Port executives are eager for a resolution since shipping customers have rerouted goods to facilities on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.Retailers, manufacturers, farmers and other West Coast port customers are eager for
Port of Oakland launches 2023 Summer College Internship Program
The Port of Oakland is recruiting full-time college students for its 2023 Summer College Internship Program. Through a competitive process, prospective applicants apply for internships in 18 professional fields – Aviation, Communications, Engineering, Governmental Affairs, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Maritime, Planning & Development and Risk Management – at the port.With more than 20 years of hosting interns, the Port of Oakland will support local students throughout the eight-week paid internship program.“This program offers college students an opportunity to
Port of Oakland Collaborates with West Oakland to Create Green Jobs
The Port of Oakland has joined forces with the West Oakland Job Resource Center (WOJRC) to train workers for green jobs in the transportation and logistics industry.WOJRC received a $350,000 grant from the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program. The Port of Oakland supported WOJRC during the application process and will provide on-going technical assistance in the program’s administration.The grant is part of the California Energy Commission’s $100 million annual investment to support California communities by promoting accelerated development and deployment of
Port of Oakland Appoints Richardson as New Port Attorney
A veteran lawyer involved in every major Port of Oakland project over the last 13 years has been named Port Attorney. The port appointed Mary Richardson, effective December 31, 2021, to succeed Michele Heffes who’s retiring. This appointment was made during last Thursday's regular Board meeting. Richardson, who joined the Port in 2008, had been Assistant Port Attorney.As Port Attorney, Richardson will manage a professional staff of attorneys, legal assistants and secretaries responsible for advising port management on a wide range of critical legal matters. Among other things, the Port
Port of Oakland Extends Project Labor Agreement
the trades and boost earnings for local workers. The Port’s PLA contributes greatly to the East Bay economy. Since 2016, local workers earned over $19 million."Our agreement specifically addresses the need to increase participation of local, minority and disadvantaged workers," said Port of Oakland Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe. "It also strengthens key partnerships within industry and labor so that we can prepare our workforce for a post-pandemic construction environment.”Key outcomes of the Port’s 2016 project labor agreement:2,336 local residents entered
Oakland Port Appoints McKenney COO
Port of Oakland has appointed veteran aviation executive Kristi McKenney as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).Executive Director Danny Wan announced the appointment today after the Port’s governing Board created the new position last month. Ms. McKenney had been serving as Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port’s Oakland International Airport.“I’m grateful to the Board for establishing the COO position and pleased that Kristi is joining our executive team,” said Wan. “We’re developing an ambitious growth strategy for the Port and she’ll
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.
Port of Oakland Generates 84,000 Jobs
Californian Port of Oakland supports 84,144 jobs in the Bay Area and 20 percent of those jobs are Oakland-based, according to an economic impact study.The study by Martin Associates shows that the Port’s overall economic value—from business revenue, consumer spending, and total value of goods and services—tops $130 billion. The Port and its tenants also contribute $698 million in state/local taxes.The Port said the study shows that growth in its three businesses—Commercial Real Estate, Aviation and Maritime is paying off for the community.“The report confirms the Port of
Port of Oakland: 84K Bay Area Jobs Generated
The Port of Oakland supports 84,144 jobs in the Bay Area and 20 percent of those jobs are Oakland-based, according to an economic impact study released today. The study by Martin Associates shows that the Port’s overall economic value—from business revenue, consumer spending, and total value of goods and services—tops $130 billion. The Port and its tenants also contribute $698 million in state/local taxes.The Port said the study shows that growth in its three businesses—Commercial Real Estate, Aviation and Maritime is paying off for the community.“The report confirms
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
Port of Oakland Appoints Principal Engineer for Seaport Projects
The Port of Oakland has promoted Thanh Vuong to Principal Engineer in the Maritime Project Design and Delivery Department. The department manages more than $50 million worth of seaport capital projects each year and provides upkeep of more than $1 billion worth of infrastructure.Vuong will be responsible for managing the Port’s maritime capital improvement and maintenance programs. He'll oversee dredging and crane-related work as well as construction, maintenance and compliance activities.Vuong has worked at the Port for eight years, previously holding the position of Supervising
Port of Oakland Employee Groups to Award 18 Scholarships
Port of Oakland employees will award 18 scholarships by this summer. The Port Employees’ Scholarship Program and the Asian Employees Association at the Port of Oakland (AEA) raised nearly $39,000 for high school seniors in May. The organizations have given out nearly $1.2 million to more than 500 students since their founding in the 1990s.The scholarships are for high school seniors preparing for college or vocational training. They help fund post-secondary education for Oakland high school students and qualified children of Port employees.“The Port Employees’ Scholarship Program was
Port of Oakland Hires Workforce Development Manager
The Port of Oakland named Julina Bonilla the Workforce Development Manager in its Social Responsibility Division.In the newly-created position, Bonilla is primarily responsible for managing a workforce development program that gives local residents access to port-related employment opportunities. Her responsibilities at the port include partnering with government agencies, schools, labor and the community to develop a program that prepares and places local residents in port-related careers. This includes workers from underserved communities that face barriers to employment.Bonilla brings to the
