Randy Rogers, who has been the U.S. Maritime Administration's representative for Pacific Northwest ports, is headed to Iraq to be the next chief of staff for the Office of the Transportation Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. He will assist the government of Iraq in rebuilding the country's transportation infrastructure and will work to secure American and foreign investment in the country. A replacement in MARAD's Pacific Northwest and Alaska Gateway office should be named soon.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer visited the Port of Stockton last week during a two-day campaign sweep through the state. Boxer highlighted the job-creation projects she has supported and was praised by Port Commission Chairman Steve Herum who said that Boxer was instrumental in securing a $30 million grant to create a marine highway system between Stockton, the Port of West Sacramento and the Port of Oakland. Republican challenger, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, accused Boxer of grandstanding.

Port of Oakland commissioners have unanimously elected new officers for their board. Oakland attorney James Head, who is the vice president of programs at the San Francisco Foundation, was elected president. Attorney Pamela Calloway, who is principal of Calloway & Associates and involved in economic and workforce development, was elected first vice president. Gilda Gonzales, who is the chief executive officer of the non-profit community development Unity Council, was elected second vice president. All three were appointed to the seven-member port board in 2009.

Steve Finley of RE Trans and Phillip Wright of Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Co. received the George Marshall Instructor Award for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semester respectively, for their role and contribution as instructor in the Global Logistics Specialist Program at the Center for International Trade and Transportation at Cal State Long Beach. They were both recognized at the GLS Graduation ceremony at the Port of Long Beach on June 30, 2010.

Patty Senecal, Global Logistics Specialists instructor for the Center for International Trade and Transportation at Cal State Long Beach, has been awarded the Bill Wisener Distinguished Service Award for the 2009-2010 academic year at the GLS graduation ceremony. Senecal is Southern California and Infrastructure Issues manager for the Western States Petroleum Association.

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission Vice President Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza will say her good-byes to her harbor chums next month as she prepares to leave the board. The outspoken commissioner, who plans to step down July 31, has taken a position as California regional manager for ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. An attorney and ardent environmentalist, Lopez Mendoza was appointed to the port board in 2005 by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. She was previously with the Environmental Defense Fund in Los Angeles.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is dodging a barrage of questions from the press over getting free passes to about 100 concerts, ballgames, and other events since becoming mayor in 2005, but not reporting them as gifts. His Honor says he was there in an official capacity, so he wasn't required to report the freebies. The press isn't buying it. After hounding the mayor's office for the paperwork, reporters seized upon the fact that Villaraigosa also was free with a buck during his nine-day trade trip in December to London, Berlin and the climate conference in Copenhagen. The Port of Los Angeles helped pick up the tab. Accompanying the mayor was a photographer, videographer, and two LAPD officers for security. Expenses included $400-plus a night hotel rooms, spa visits, and three $1,000-plus dinners with no information on who ate.

Economist Jack Kyser, Southern California's most enthusiastic economic advocate, is retiring after almost 30 years as the in-house expert on the regional outlook. Kyser, the founding economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., will relinquish his full-time position at the end of the month, but remain with the LAEDC as a consultant. LAEDC's Kyser Center for Economic Research will continue under the leadership of chief economist Dr. Nancy Sidhu. Kyser isn't exactly falling off the radar on June 30. He will be at the Los Angeles downtown Marriot at 7 a.m., July 21 for his final official LAEDC Midyear Economic Forecast Presentation.

Former Port of Seattle chief Mic Dinsmore has talked with Puget Sound Business Journal reporter Steve Wilhelm about his fall from grace as the highest paid port director in the nation and what he has been doing lately. "During the past three years, Dinsmore came under the scrutiny of federal prosecutors and lost his new job, his third wife and his reputation," Wilhelm writes. "The result was an agonizing inner journey that included months in hospitals for treatment of depression. His swagger snuffed, the once-globetrotting deal-maker is only now re-entering the business world by helping a daughter launch a fitness company."

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn is calling for the Port of Los Angeles to act quickly to finalize negotiations with the unions and implement sa Construction Careers Policy and a Project Labor Agreement at the port. She wants the PLA to include a local hiring component and the construction policy to include job training and apprenticeship programs. The PLA would cover all major construction projects at the port for the next five years. Although PLAs do not ban non-union workers, critics claim they drive up costs and favor union contractors.

Meanwhile San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom beat out Hahn to become the Democratic nominee to challenge the Republican incumbent, state Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, for his seat. Maldonado has only held the seat since April 27. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November to replace former Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who had been elected to Congress. It took several months, however, before he was confirmed by the state legislature. Maldonado last week defeated State Sen. Sam Aanestad to be the Republican candidate. The Lieutenant Governor, among his other duties, heads up the State Lands Commission, which oversees California tidelands ports.

Teamsters Joint Council 7 has appointed Bay Area trucking organizer Doug Bloch as its "first-ever" political director. Bloch has been active in labor organizing and politicking for 15 years, most recently as the Change to Win's campaign director for the Oakland-area Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports. Prior to joining the Teamster team, he worked with the Service Employees International Union. In his new job with the Joint Council, which spans 22 local unions in Northern California and parts of Nevada, Bloch will develop a union education and mobilization program for the upcoming federal, state, and local elections.

Also moving on up are Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports Communications Director Valerie Lapin, who will serve as port campaign director, and labor and environmental campaign strategist Heather Weiner, who will be the new political action director for Washington State-based Joint Council 28.

Capt. Allen Garfinkle has been hired as Executive Director by the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun. He replaces former Executive Director Capt. Patrick Moloney, who resigned from the job in October. The pilot commission has been under intense scrutiny since the container ship Cosco Busan sideswiped the San Francisco Bay Bridge in November 2007, resulting in the spill of 53,000 gallons of bunker fuel into the bay. The pilot on board later pleaded guilty to criminal charges and was sentenced to 10 months in prison. A state audit later recommended several changes in practices which are being implemented by the board.

Musical police chiefs. Long Beach has hired Jim McDonnell as its new police chief, replacing Police Chief Anthony Batts who left the LBPD in October to become police chief in Oakland. McDonnell comes to Long Beach from the Los Angeles Police Department, where he was first assistant chief. Although he had been one of the finalists for a job as LAPD chief, he lost out to LAPD Deputy Chief Charles Beck, who was named to the top job in November.

Michael Lighty has been appointed to the Oakland Port Commission by Mayor Ron Dellums and confirmed by the City Council. He fills the position previously held by Anthony Batarse Jr. who served on the board for more than eight years. Lighty is a graduate of Stanford University and currently serves as the director of public policy for the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United. In that capacity, he coordinates the national political and legislative work for the 150,000-member union of registered nurses. Lighty also has served as a member of the Oakland Planning Commission and the design review chair of the Shepherd Canyon Neighborhood Association.

Vickie Rawlins has joined the Port of Seattle as its Workplace Responsibility Officer. Prior to being hired by the port, she served as founding director of the Washington office of Ombudsman, which provides independent compliance oversight of state agencies.

ILWU President Big Bob McEllrath and Mainland Vice President Ray Familathe were among more than 100 folks arrested earlier this month at a demonstration by hotel workers outside the San Francisco Hilton. The hotel workers are in negotiations with hotels in the city over a new contract.

Former Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Nicholas Tonsich and current Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz were on hand at the Port of Los Angeles High School on Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the school's new Maritime Studies Classroom. The port put up $75,000 to sponsor the new class, which will teach students about the various opportunities and jobs in international trade. As part of the ceremony, the classroom was officially named the "History of the Port of Los Angeles." Tonsich - an attorney in San Pedro - served as port board chairman under the administration of former Mayor James Hahn. He currently serves as Board President for the Port of Los Angeles High School.

John Parrott was named President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express last month, replacing former TOTE president Bill Deaver. Parrott, who was vice president of Commercial for the Lower 48 and Alaska before being promoted, has been with the company since 2002. He initially worked for TOTE in 1992 as chief mate aboard the SS Northern Lights. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. He also has an MBA from Seattle University and holds a commission in the Naval Reserve. The big task facing him in his new job - finding ways to cut costs. TOTE provides twice-weekly service between Tacoma and Anchorage.

With the largest purchase of LNG trucks nearing completion at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, Westport Innovations President and COO Michael Gallagher will transition to a new role with the company - that of senior advisor. The British Columbia-based company introduced the new LNG diesel technology, which uses an LNG-powered diesel engine in which a small amount of regular diesel fuel is injected to chemically ignite the mixture when it is compressed. The South Coast Air Quality Management District along with the two ports is in the process of purchasing another 500 LNG trucks for the harbor area.

Stephen Branscum, group vice president for consumer products at BNSF, has been elected as chairman of the Intermodal Association of North America board. He succeeds Greg Stefflre, CEO of Rail Delivery Services, in that role. Other new IANA officers are David Howland of Optimodal as vice chair and Steve Rubin of Seacastle Chassis as treasurer. New board members include Thomas Kelly of MOL (America), Kevin Lhotak of Reliable Transportation Specialists, Barry Michaels of Union Pacific, Val Noel of Pacer Cartage, and Phil Shook of C.H. Robinson Worldwide. James Hertwig of CSX Intermodal is returning to the board for a new term.

Seattle Port commissioners have elected new officers for 2010. Commissioner Bill Bryant is president and Commissioner Gael Tarleton is vice president for second terms. The Seattle Port Commission started the practice of maintaining officers for two consecutive terms several years ago. Newly elected Commissioner Rob Holland will serve as secretary for the board. Re-elected Commissioner John Creighton and newly elected Commissioner Tom Albro round out the five-member board.

At the Port of Tacoma, Commissioner Don Johnson was elected president of the board, while recently re-elected Commissioner Connie Bacon is vice president and re-elected Commissioner Dick Marzano is secretary. Newly elected Commissioner Don Meyer is the first assistant secretary, and outgoing president Clare Petrich is now the second assistant secretary.

Engineer Les Durrant has joined the Halcrow office in Long Beach, where he will work on the company's public-private partnerships advisory contract with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Durrant, who previously worked for the MTA and other public agencies, has 30 years of experience in planning, design, construction and equipment commissioning of rail vehicles, systems and facilities.

Mike Lingerfelt, who was president of both Washington United Terminals in Tacoma and California United Terminals in Long Beach, has retired. WUT and CUT are subsidiaries of Hyundai Merchant Marine.

The Oakland City Council has deadlocked 4-4 on the confirmation of former planning commissioner Michael Lighty, who was nominated by Mayor Ron Dellums to replace Commissioner Anthony Batarse on the Port of Oakland board. Some Council folks felt Lighty - who is public policy director for the California Nurses Association union - was too liberal to serve on a board of an agency that advances and attempts to attract business. The confirmation of Lighty is back before the Council on next Tuesday. If confirmed, Lighty will be the first openly gay Commissioner to sit on the port board.
Lighty Nomination Letter

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Kaylynn Kim and Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Mario Cordero to lead the chamber's World Trade Week 2010 program in May. Both Kim and Cordero are attorneys. Kim, who was named chairwoman of the effort, has been on the Port of Los Angeles board since September 2005. She is currently an associate at Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natis. Cordero, who will serve as Vice Chair of the event, joined the Port of Long Beach board in 2003. He is a workers compensation defense attorney. 

(CORRECTION: In an earlier version of People, Long Beach Harbor Commmissioner Mario Cardero was incorrectly identified as a principal partner in ABC Advocacy Group. His wife, Gloria, is a partner in ABC Advocacy.)

Michael Khouri was sworn in earlier this month to replace Steven Blust on the Federal Maritime Commission. Blust resigned from the five-member commission in 2006. Khouri has been in the maritime industry for 35 years, starting as a deckhand and moving up through the ranks to tugboat captain to an executive with various companies. Along the way he got a degree in economics from Tulane University and a law degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. Most recently, he worked as a transportation and maritime attorney with Pedley & Gordinier law firm in Louisville.

Erin Masson Wirth has joined the Federal Maritime Commission as an administrative law judge. She has worked in private practice, as a criminal prosecutor, and as managing attorney of a legal aid office. She has also been an attorney-advisor to the administrative law judges at the Federal Trade Commission. Prior to joining the FMC, Wirth served as an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration in Richmond, Va.

Austin Beutner, former chief of the Evercore Partners investment firm, has a new job - Los Angeles deputy mayor of economic development. Beutner was hired by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who wants to revive the city's ailing economy and generate jobs. Among Beutner's new duties will be overseeing the Port of Los Angeles. He replaces former deputy major Bud Ovrom, who has moved on to be general manager of the Department of Building and Safety. Beutner retired from Evercore after he broke his neck in a mountain bike accident in 2007. His new salary: $1 a year.

The ATA has promoted three of its folks to new positions in the organization. David Osjecki is the new senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs. He had been serving as vice president for safety, security, and operations. Osjecki joined the ATA in 1996. Robert Digges is the ATA's new chief counsel. He had been serving as deputy general counsel and vice president of law and has been with the ATA for 25 years. Prasad Sharma is the new vice president and deputy chief counsel. He had been serving as vice president and administrative counsel.

The Southern California Regional District Export Council has some new officers going into 2010. Guy Fox of Guy Fox and Associates is the SCRDEC chairman; Jim MacLellan of the Port of Los Angeles, the new vice chairman; and Tom Burr of the Sovereign Group, the new treasurer.

The Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce plans to install its officers and board members for 2010 on Tuesday at the offices of Keesal Young & Logan in Long Beach. Officers to be installed include: Chairman, Anthony Misetich of General Petroleum; President, Tabb Bubier of Pacific Edge Engineering; 1st Vice President, Don Norton of Pacific Harbor Line; 2nd Vice President, William Walles of Technoplex Group; and Secretary-Treasurer, Scott Kurtz of Ninyo & Moore. Directors include: Samara Ashley, Scott Bubier, Gwen Butterfield, Michael Crehan, John Cruikshank , Jay Dablow, John Doherty, Steve Faichney, Chris Foley, Michael Greenspan, John Howland, Albert Israel, Richard Jenkins, Geraldine Knatz, Larry Labrado, Dennis Lord, William Lyte, Mary McCormick, Craig Moyer, George Piantka, Don Rice, Edward Rogan, Carol Rowen, Martha Salot, Clay Sandidge, Richard Steinke, Sirous Thampi, Tony Williamson, David Wright, and John Yakos.

Attorney Susan Kohn Ross, chair of the International Trade Practice at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp has been named a partner in the law firm. Ross, who also heads the Homeland Security and Regulatory Practice at the firm, is a director of the Foreign Trade Association of Southern California.

The folks at Metro Ports have welcomed three new executives to their team: Patrick Furrow as senior VP of Human Relations and Administrative Services; Kenneth Keane, as director of safety; and Steve Mathis as director of business development. Patrick Furrow, who joined the company in September, is responsible for attracting, developing and retaining talent, ensuring safety and compliance measures, and managing administrative contacts and expenditures. Retired Coast Guard Capt. Ken Keane started at Metro last month. He comes to the company from Pasha Stevedoring and Terminals, where he was director of safety and security. Steve Mathis, who has more than 25 years in the logistics industry, comes to Metro from CSM Consulting in Portland, where he was a principal. Before that he was general manager of sales for the Pacific Northwest at Ports America, director of marketing at the Port of Sacramento, and pricing manager at Matheson Fast Freight.

Port of San Diego Board Chairman Robert "Dukie" Valderrama outlined his goals for the port during the coming year, declaring the theme for 2010 would be "the year of our partners" - which include more than 600 tenants and subtenants at the port. He praised outgoing Chairman Stephen Cushman for his leadership. Valderrama's comments came shortly after being sworn in as board chair. Over board officers sworn in were Scott Peters as Vice Chairman and Stephen Padilla as Board Secretary. New commissioner Louis Smith, who represents the City of Coronado, was also sworn in.

New Port of Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Thomas Fields took his seat last month, filling the vacancy left by former Commissioner Jim Hankla, who retired at the end of June 2009. Fields, an advertising executive, was nominated to a six-year term on the board by Mayor Bob Foster and confirmed unanimously by the City Council. Fields is a former city planning commissioner and chair of the city Redevelopment Agency. He is the founder and owner of Thomas Fields Associates.

Former Weyerhaeuser executive Erin Galeno joined the Port of Tacoma last month as its chief financial officer. The new CFO spent 23 years with Weyerhaeuser, most recently as controller for corporate support functions.

Curtis Stoner, who as 25 years of marketing experience with Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) and APL joined the Port of Tacoma earlier this week as senior manager of container terminal business. He will be working to develop new container business for the port as well as managing an existing portfolio of container terminals.

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Economic Development Bud Ovrom was appointed last month as general manager of the Department of Building and Safety. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in announcing the appointment said Ovrom would be working to streamline city services to better support the business community and create jobs. Ovrom has been Deputy Major of Economic Development since July 2005. In that role, he coordinated economic development efforts and oversaw several city agencies, including the Port of Los Angeles.

The LA Weekly reporting last month that the recent trip by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his entourage to the climate conference in Copenhagen plus stops in Berlin and London costing the city about $120,000. The paper said the cost of the trip was split between the Port of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power.

David Matsuda, who has been acting administrator for the Maritime Administration since July, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve in that position permanently. He addition to being acting administrator, Matsuda is currently Deputy Administrator at MARAD. Prior to joining the agency, he was deputy assistant secretary for Policy at the Department of Transportation.

Seven students have received scholarships to the Global Logistics Specialist program at California State University Long Beach. Hector Calderon, Heidi Kim, Jannine Mongeon and Noemi Zepeda were awarded scholarships by the Los Angeles Transportation Club. David Rodas and Nathan Woodside received scholarships from the Harbor Transportation Club. And Daniel Treichler was given a scholarship by the Pacific Maritime Association.

Folks will be telling their stories and saying their good-byes next Friday night at the retirement party for former ILWU International President James "Spinner" Spinosa, who is also president of Local 63 in San Pedro. Spinosa is best known for leading the union during the negotiation of the contentious 2002 contract, which opened the way for greater use of technology on the waterfront, while guaranteeing the union the jobs that accompanied the new technology. The celebration gets underway at 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in San Pedro.
More Information

It took more than 153 days for Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster to make up his mind, but he finally appointed advertising executive Thomas Fields as the new Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission. The seat on the five-member board has been vacant since former Harbor Commissioner Jim Hankla retired at the end of June - a decision he announced at least six months earlier. Fields, if confirmed as expected by the City Council, should be sworn in by the end of the month.

James Carter, general counsel at Nike, has taken a seat on the Port of Portland Commission. He replaces William Thorndike, whose term on the nine-member board expired in November. Portland port commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate to four-year terms.

When Coast Guard Capt. Gregory J. Sanial got married last month, he didn't have far to go for the ceremony. The wedding to petroleum engineer Eva Habetinova took place in the Captain's quarters aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Chase in San Diego. Lt. Leroy Young of the Navy Chaplain Corps did the honors. Capt. Sanial's two daughters, Sydney and Alexandra, who participated in the ceremony, should have felt right at home. Sydney was baptized aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Attu in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Alexandra aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, in New London, Conn.

Former Port of Long Beach chief engineer Bob Hoffmaster has died at 92. Hoffmaster worked for the port for 40 years. It was during his tenure that Long Beach had to figure out how to deal with its subsidence problems. The whole city was sinking because of all the oil being pumped out of the ground. Epicenter for the falling ground level was an oil field - what is now Pier S on Terminal Island - which sank more than 20 feet, resulting in it being below sea level and protected from flooding through a system of dykes and pumps. The subsidence was finally halted by injecting water into the ground to replace the oil, but the land never did rebound to its original level. Since the port took over the site in 1993, it has brought in dirt to raise the elevation of the property in preparation for its development as a container terminal.

Port of Seattle Commissioner Lloyd Hara is soon going to be King County Assessor. Hara, who was elected to the port board in 2005, decided to leave the port for a chance to fill the unexpired term of former King County Assessor Scott Noble. Noble resigned last summer after being in a traffic accident and testing over the limit for drunk driving. There's about two years left on his term. Hara, 69, previously held office as King County Auditor and City of Seattle Treasurer.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn is getting some encouraging news from the pollsters about her possible run for the job of California Lieutenant Governor. A recent poll commissioned by her exploratory committee found she was backed by 24 percent of the likely voters over other Democratic candidates for the job. State Sen. Dean Florez scored 8 percent in the poll and State Sen. Alan Lowenthal got 6 percent. That leaves 51 percent undecided, but it's still early in the race.

It appears the legal entanglements may not be over for former Teamster VIP James Santangelo, who resigned last month in the wake of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by union secretary Gloria Corral. The lawsuit, which the union reportedly settled for $500,000, claimed that Santangelo sent Corral explicit emails, offered to give her a raise in exchange for sex, made comments about her breasts and tried to kiss her on the mouth. Now Santangelo - who was President of Teamster Joint Council 42 and head of Teamster Local 848 - has been named in another sexual harassment lawsuit, this one filed in Nevada on Nov. 13 by Teamster Local 995 President and former business agent Helen Green, who claimed in her suit that Local 995 Secretary-Treasurer Mike Magnani harassed and intimidated her after she tried to break off their sexual relationship. She said in her suit that she went to Santangelo, who was Magnani's boss, to complain about the harassment Although Santangelo promised to put a stop to it, if she would withdraw her complaint, he never did, according to the suit She is asking for $600,000 for compensatory and punitive damages plus legal fees.
Green Suit against Teamsters
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Jorge Jensen Baraibar has been arrested in Alameda in connection with embezzlement of at least $380,000 from the Bobac CFS Corp warehouse and Customs Examination Station. Apparently the company, which operates a 341,000-square-foot facility in Alameda, confronted Baraibar last summer about some problems showing up on their books. After allegedly admitted to mishandling company money he was fired. At the time, company officials thought the amount of missing money was about $1,200. Now they think it may go as high as half-a-million.

Joe Radisich, a Port of Los Angeles harbor commissioner since 2005, recently ended a three-year term as international vice president of the ILWU. The Local 13 crane operator opted not to seek reelection for personal reasons. A side benefit of the change? Radisich is now clear to vote on harbor redevelopment projects. While the two board terms coincided, Radisich was advised by the City Attorney's office of a potential conflict of interest if he were to participate in any Harbor Commission votes that could lead to more union jobs. Radisich's ILWU post was filled by Ray Familathe, also of Local 13. Familathe took the ILWU Executive Board seat Oct. 15.

Port of San Diego Acting Public Art Director Yvonne Wise has gotten the title for real. The former Public Art Director for the City of Philadelphia, Wise joined the port as Public Art Manager in 2007. She was named acting Public Art Director in January 2009.

L.A. Harbor Commissioners have named Board Vice President Jerilyn López Mendoza to join Commissioner Kaylynn Kim on the Port Electrification Committee. The board also created an Ad-Hoc Committee on Business Development and assign President Cindy Miscikowski and Commissioner Kaylynn Kim to it.

Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Nick Sramek was voted in last week as chair of the governing board that oversees the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. The ICTF joint-powers authority board also named Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Cindy Miscikowski as its vice chair.

Western States Petroleum Association President Joe Sparano will step down as president on Jan. 1 and turn the helm over to the association's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Catherine Reheis-Boyd. Sparano will move to the newly created position of Executive Advisor to the Chairman of the Board until Marcy 2011, when he plans to retire. Reheis-Boyd has been with WSPA since 1990. WSPA represents petroleum industry interests in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Port of San Diego Harbor Police Chief Kirk Sanfilippo has announced his retirement effective Jan. 5. He served with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety for 22 years before joining the Harbor Police department in 2003. He was named chief four years ago.

Former Port of Astoria Director Peter Gearin - who was fired by the port board in February 2007 over a federal clean water violation in which he was later convicted - is being accused of an even more serious violation, this time over his 2004 role in putting together a contract to lease port land to Calpine for development of a liquefied natural gas terminal. It turns out that the woman he was having an affair with at the time, Susan Trabucco, was doing contract marketing work for the port and also working with Calpine to help promote its LNG project - a job for which Gearin reportedly recommended her. Although the situation may help the port get out of its contract with Calpine, Gearin is off the hook, at least legally. The statute of limitations for any wrongdoing in the situation has expired. And there is a happy ending of sorts. Gearin and Trabucco are now married.

Neil Morrison has been appointed as Director of Engineering Design at the Port of Long Beach. Formerly the director of engineering for Stonefield Development in Orange County, Morrison has more than 30 years experience as a civil engineer. In his new job he will oversee the work of about 35 engineering and technical professionals. He replaces Jim Santa Ana, who retired last year.

Sixty sophomores from the Banning High School Global Safety and Security Academy visited the Coast Guard Base in the Port of Long Beach earlier this month to participate in Coast Guard Day. It was the 7th year that Banning students did a field trip to Terminal Island to learn about the jobs done by the Coast Guard, Long Beach Harbor Patrol, Port Police and Customs and Border Protection agents to protect the port.

Santa Fe Springs-based Weber Distribution has hired Dennis McDonough as vice president of client solutions and Robert Cesario as director of operations. McDonough comes from Aspen Distribution, where he was vice president of service solutions. Cesario previously worked as general manager of RPM Consolidated Services in Rancho Cucamonga.

Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Cindy Miscikowski has been named by her fellow harbor commissioners to fill a vacant seat on the governing board of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. The ICTF Authority seat had been held by former Commission President S. David Freeman, who left the harbor board to become a deputy mayor to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The major issue before the ICTF is Union Pacific's proposed expansion of the railyard it operates on the property. The ICTF board is a joint-power authority made up of officials from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Miscikowski was also named to Freeman's former seat on the Los Angeles Harbor Commission's Audit Committee. Harbor Commissioner Doug Krause is the other member of that committee.

Former Ports America Group executive Steve Longbotham has been appointed as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Technical Leader with TrucFlo, a startup company established last May to develop a system to help companies meet the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration roadability regulations. Under the new FMCSA standards, terminal operators, railroads, trucking companies and drivers that operate intermodal equipment must have a compliance system in place by Dec. 17. Longbotham was formerly vice president of customer technology for Marine Terminals Corp., which was merged into Ports America Group in January 2008.

Former Long Beach Police Chief Anthony Batts officially completed his journey from one port city to another on Tuesday, when he was sworn in as the new police chief of Oakland. He had headed the Long Beach Police Department for seven years. His is the ex-husband of Congresswoman Laura Richardson, who formerly served on the Long Beach City Council and in the State Assembly.

Roberto Uranga - the husband of Long Beach Councilwoman and frequent port critic Tonia Reyes Uranga - is dropping his election campaign to replace his wife on the City Council. He says his recent appointment as vice chair of the Association of Community College Trustees has convinced him not pursue the council seat for now. He says he has decided to take a run at a seat on the City Council in 2014. Meanwhile his wife, who is leaving her Council seat because of term limits, could legally get it back if she won it as a write-in candidate. Hubby Roberto says he would support her in that effort. Remaining candidates for the 7th District seat are assistant City Auditor James Johnson and Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance President Jill Hill.

Former Bay Area dockworker and screenwriter James Hamilton has died at 79. His most noted work was on the 1977 anti-war movie "Cross of Iron," directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring James Coburn. He also wrote a documentary on former International Longshore and Warehouse Union president Harry Bridges, called "Harry Bridges: A Man and His Union." Hamilton's death came three weeks after the death of his wife, Jana.

Some political changing of course going on at the Port of Olympia, where longshoreman Jeff Davis and environmental advocate Dave Peeler are campaigning to fill the port commission seat held by Paul Telford, who is retiring at the end of the year. At first Telford endorsed Davis, but now he has changed his mind and is endorsing Peeler instead. He says he thinks Davis - who has raised more than $28,000 for his campaign, much of it from his ILWU brothers and sisters - will be too beholden to the union to represent the entire community. Davis doesn't deny that union members are been supportive. In fact, he is proud of it. "We stick together, we work together and we live and die together, so when we find out anywhere on the West Coast that somebody is out there fighting for the cause, then we do work together, we do contribute to those campaigns," Davis says. He adds that he intends to represent the whole community and will recuse himself if union issues come before the board.

Long Beach Fire Chief Dave Ellis has submitted a letter to City Manager Pat West saying that he plans to retire at the end of the year. Ellis, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2007, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and focus on his health. He said he was confident about the long-term prognosis, but that the medical treatments have made it impossible to continue to devote the kind of energy needed to lead the department.

General Manager H. David Nahai at the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power has announced his departure, but there is a plan by the DWP Commission to hire him back as a $6,300 per week consultant until the end of the year. He is being replaced on an interim basis by former Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission President S. David Freeman, who just happens also to be the former general manager for the DWP. The plan to hire Nahai back as a consultant has been attacked by critics as a "sweetheart deal."

Capt. Patrick Moloney, executive director of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the past 16 years, has tendered his resignation effective Oct. 15. He will be on administrative leave until that date. The Pilot Commission, which oversees and recommends rates for the San Francisco Bar Pilots, has come under intense scrutiny since the allision of the container ship Cosco Busan into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on a foggy morning in November 2007, resulting in a 53,000-gallon spill of bunker fuel. The pilot onboard the ship that day, John Cota, later pleaded guilty to criminal charges and received a 10-month prison sentence. A state audit of the board is expected to be released in coming weeks.

Former Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Carol Rowen made the Los Angeles Times Sunday business section in a feature on her role as founder and CEO of the International Trade Education Programs. The ITEP goal is to introduce high school students to the opportunities available in international trade and transportation and teach them the everyday business and social skills necessary to take advantage of those opportunities. Rowen served on the Harbor Commission under former Mayor Richard Riordan. The Times story was not her only media mention. Lloyd's List in an opinion piece blasting the L.A. Times for being one-sided in a separate story that criticized the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports over pollution, mentioned Rowen's work and said stories that focus on only the negative aspects of the two ports make her job that much harder.
Rowen Story Lloyd's List Story

After 41 years with the company, Chevron Corp. Chairman and CEO David O'Reilly has announced his retirement effective at the end of the year. He will be replaced by current Vice Chairman John Watson. O'Reilly, 62, was appointed CEO in 2000 and oversaw Chevron's merger with Texaco in 2001 and its acquisition of Unocal in 2005. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and joined the company in 1968 as a process engineer. Watson, who has been with the company for 29 years, was named vice chairman earlier this year. A California native, he earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from UC Davis in 1978 and a masters in business administration from the University of Chicago in 1980. He will be replaced as vice chairman by George Kirkland.

Former Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission President David Freeman has been appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as interim director of the city Department of Water and Power. Freeman resigned as president of the harbor board in May to become Villaraigosa's deputy major of environmental and energy issues. His temporary appointment to head the DWP will be a homecoming of sorts for Freeman, who headed the agency under former Mayor Richard Riordan. He is replacing DWP chief executive H. David Nahai, who resigned as DWP director this week to be an advisor to former President Bill Clinton's climate change initiative. Nahai, a former DWP commissioner, had served in the position since 2007.

Former Port of Coos Bay Commissioner Vernon Brecke recently died at home. He was appointed to the port board by Gov. John Kitzhaber in 1994 and served as board president from 1997-2000. He was a farmer and construction worker. He was also operations manager of the Oregon Chip Terminal.

Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach told the Long Beach Rotary Club this week that the only answer to California's current fiscal crisis may be some kind of receivership, under which some of the damage done by the state legislators over the years can be undone. He contends that one of the major problems facing both state and local government in California is unsustainable public employee pensions. He says public sector unions contribute to candidates to get them elected, then turn around and negotiate their contracts with the same officials. One tongue-in-cheek solution from Moorlach: Orange Country, Long Beach, and Catalina Island should secede from the union and form their own country. It would have miles of coastline, a major port, and a large open-space nature preserve.

The body of Karl Konka, an unsuccessful candidate earlier this year for a seat on the Port of Astoria Commission, was recovered from the rocks near the shoreline after he apparently drowned and washed ashore. The 60-year-old Konka had lived in Astoria for more than 15 years after a career in banking. After moving to Astoria, he worked in the environmental salvage and restoration business.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who represents the harbor area, is looking into the possibility of running for state Lieutenant Governor in 2010. The councilwoman, who will be termed out of her current office in 2013, has filed papers with the California secretary of state for the "Janice Hahn Lieutenant Governor 2010 Exploratory Committee." If her explorations turn into a run for office, she will be in competition with fellow Democrats State Sen. Alan Lowenthal and State Sen. Dean Flores. Republican competition would include State Sen. Jeff Denham and former State Sen. Jim Battin. The Lieutenant Governor is chair of the State Lands Commission, which oversees California ports.

Richard Lidinsky Jr. has been designated as chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission by President Barack Obama. Lidinsky joined the commission in July. He began his professional legal career in the FMC Office of General Counsel in 1973-75. He has held positions in both the government and business side of the maritime industry.

Frank Coghlan Jr., who once worked in public relations for the Port of Los Angeles but was better known as a child actor, has died at 93. Coghlan, who acted under the name Junior Coghlan, was most famous for his 1941 role as Billy Batson, who would transform into Capt. Marvel by saying "Shazam." He was also a Navy Pilot during WWII and retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in 1965. He then got involved in acting again and working in public relations.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has named federal prosecutor Eileen Decker as deputy mayor for homeland security. Decker currently heads the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney's office for California's Central District. She joined the U.S. Attorney General's office in 1995 and has worked during that time in counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, export enforcement, and organized crime prosecutions. She replaces former homeland security deputy mayor Arif Alikhan, who has been appointed assistant secretary for the Office of Policy Development for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Erroll Southers, chief of homeland security with the City of Los Angeles Department of Airports police department, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to head the Transportation Security Administration. Southers is also the associate director for the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events at the University of Southern California, where he previously worked as an adjunct professor of terrorism, homeland security and public policy.

Marisol Lopez has been named Chief of Staff for Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums. She replaces David Chai. Taking Lopez's place as Executive Assistant to the Mayor is Trina Barton. Lopez began her career at Tokyo-based Sanrio Company, where she headed their sales in Central America. She began her political career when appointed Co-convener of the Community Task Force on Youth Issues during Dellums transition to Mayor. She then joined his administration as Executive Assistant to the Mayor himself.

Port of Coos Bay Finance and Administrative Director Donna Nichols has been appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Insurance Services Trust of the Special Districts Association of Oregon. The association provides membership to over 950 local governments in several different service districts.

Kathy Wall has been promoted to Business Development Manager by the Port of Coos Bay. Wall, who was previously the management analyst, will also serve in the same position for the Coos Bay Rail Link.

Deborah Ale Flint has been named acting aviation director for the Port of Oakland until a permanent replacement for outgoing director Steve Grossman is hired. Flint, assistant aviation director, joined the port 12 years ago. The port plans to launch a nationwide search for a new aviation director, and Flint plans to be one of those applying for the job. Grossman recently announced he was leaving to accept as job as executive director of the Jacksonville Airport Authority in Florida.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has named Rev. Jeff Carr as his chief of staff and Jay Carson, a former senior campaign staffer for Hillary Clinton as the chief deputy mayor. Carr, who was the director of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, will replace Robin Kramer. Carson replaces Dan Grunfeld, who is going to work for a private law firm.

Shawn Bennett has joined Baydelta Maritime in San Francisco as general manager. He was formerly employed by Foss Maritime as commercial manager of petroleum services, tanker escort and assist. Before that Bennett worked with Protector Boat USA, Manugistics, Sea-Land Service and Hanjin Shipping.

Matson Navigation Chairman James Andrasick has retired from the company after 11 months as chairman and six years as the company's president and CEO. Before taking over the top job at Matson, Andrasick was chief financial officer and treasurer at Matson's parent company, Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

Long Beach City Councilman Gary DeLong has been elected 2009-10 chairman of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. He replaces Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn in that role. ACTA is a joint-powers authority of the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Traditionally the council representative to the board from each city trades off the chair each year. Meanwhile, Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Susan Anderson Wise has joined the ACTA board, replacing Long Beach Harbor Commission President Jim Hankla, who retired after serving a six-year term.

Environmental consultant David Peeler won 46.5 percent of the vote in the primary election for the Port of Olympia District Three seat currently held by Commissioner Paul Telford, who is retiring. He will face off in the general election with longshoreman Jeff Davis, who came in second with 31.7 percent of the vote. Will Stakelin, government affairs director for Olympia Master Builders, came in third with 21.9 percent.

Daniel Elliott III has taken his place as the fifth chairman of the Surface Transportation Board. Elliott, who for 16 years was associate general counsel to the United Transportation Union, was nominated by President Barack Obama in July and confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month. The STB was formed in 1996 to replace the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Stuart (Bud) Smith has resigned from his position of director of the Prince Rupert Port Authority to accept a Government of Canada appointment as interim Board Chairman for Ridley Terminals, Inc. Smith was appointed to a three-year term on the Prince Rupert Board of Directors in April 2007. Ridley Terminals is a federal corporation that handles Canadian bulk exports.

Cliff Barber, former chief security officer for Sea Launch, has joined Andrews International as executive director of Maritime Security Services. He will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to Andrews COO Ty Richmond. As Sea Launch security chief, he was responsible for security at the company's homeport facility at the Port of Long Beach and onboard the Sea Launch Commander, which contains the satellite-launch command center, and the ocean-going launch platform Odyssey. Barber is a former Coastie, who after 9/11 became part of the Los Angeles Sector Boarding Team, which boarded inbound and outbound vessels based on a threat matrix.

Port of Seattle chief Tay Yoshitani has joined the board of directors for the Performing Arts Center Eastside - better known as PACE. Yoshitani took the Seattle Port top job in 2007, replacing former port director Mic Dinsmore. Prior to that, he was executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, executive director of the Port of Oakland, and deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz is featured in Forbes Magazine talking about the impact of the economic downturn on the port and on port plans to prepare for a happier and more prosperous future and about port plans to clean up the environment. "We have to go above and beyond what other regulators might do to clean up the air because we have a massive business to protect here," she says in the article.
Forbes Article

Stockton City Manager Gordon Palmer announced he will be retiring on September 25 after having struggled through a difficult year due to budget cuts. Palmer, the former deputy director at the Port of Stockton and former port planner at the Port of Long Beach, joined the city in 2004 and became city manager in 2006. He said he had been contemplating his decision for months, though the announcement was made shortly after a closed-session meeting review of Palmer. His retirement ends a rocky tenure with council members criticizing Palmer's spending plan and even his leadership capabilities.

Phil Gill, vice president of government relations at Matson Navigation Company has retired. Grill served as chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force since it was founded in 1995 and has been a significant contributor in legislation and concerns regarding the domestic maritime industry.

Retired real estate exec Duane Pearson has been selected to serve as the third member of the Port of Everett Commission. Pearson was named by Commissioners Michael Hoffman and Phil Bannan to take over Connie Niva's seat. Niva had to step down from the board after she accidentally moved to a new home that was just outside the port district. Pearson has no agenda in mind, but says he is eager to help out.

A lot of familiar names on the California's public-private advisory group, established to advise CalTrans on what to look for in seeking private partners for infrastructure projects. The new group will be chaired by Building, Transportation and Housing Agency chief Dale Bonner. Other members are: Ruben Barrales, president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce; Joseph Cruz, transportation policy director for the California Alliance for Jobs; Danny Curtin, director of California Conference of Carpenters; Lee Harrington, director of the Southern California Leadership Council; Charles Hilliard, president of Demand Media; Tom Holsman, CEO of Associated General Contractors of California; John Hummer, Northern California director for U.S. Department of Transportation; Southern California economist John Husing; Fran Inman, senior vice president of Majestic Realty; Ray Levitt, engineering professor at Stanford University; Richard Little, director of the Keston Institute at USC; Paul Meyer, director of American Council of Engineering Companies of California; Adrian Moore, vice president of research at the Reason Foundation; investor Devin Murphy, previously a managing partner of Coventry Real Estate Advisors; Elizabeth O'Donoghue, director of infrastructure and land use at The Nature Conservancy of California; Katherine Perez, director of the Urban Land Institute; Sean Randolph, CEO of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute; Roger Snoble, retired CEO of the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Peter Taylor, CFO for University of California; Antonio Vives, principal associate at Cumpetere; Steve Wilder, vice president of risk management for the Walt Disney Co.; and Roger Kozberg, managing director at Hub International.

The Port of Olympia District 3 Commission has a seat available for the August 18 primary and the three runners up are Will Stakelin, Jeff Davis, and Dave Peeler. All three candidates are in favor of further opening the port up to the public as well as environmental cleanup playing a key role in the port's development. Two of the three commissioners, Paul Telford and Bill McGregor, have endorsed Davis for the seat now held by Telford, who is retiring from the board.

Scott Smith, of Impact Logix Consulting, has joined the TrucFlo Solution to assist the company with its business strategy and development. The TrucFlo Solution was established in order to help enable intermodal companies to meet the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration chassis inspection requirements. The FMCSA regulations require intermodal equipment providers, terminal operators, trucking companies, and drivers to have a compliance system in place by Dec. 17. Smith, a 24-year APL executive, launched Impact Logix Consulting in January 2009, following his retirement as APL's Director of Corporate Relations. Prior to that, he worked for a number of years in the trucking industry. He will work with TrucFlo in an advisory capacity.

Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Susan Wise has been appointed by her fellow commissioners to represent the port on the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority governing board.

Look for U.S. senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congressman Brian Baird at the Port of Vancouver USA on Aug. 13 for dedication ceremonies for Terminal 5 - built on the site of the former Alcoa Aluminum smelter - and a groundbreaking ceremony for the West Vancouver Freight Access Project's train loop track. The train loop track is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010. The entire West Vancouver Freight Access project, which will provide 1,900 construction, engineering and related jobs to the region, is planned for completion in 2017. Other folks expected to speak at the events are Vancouver Port Commission President Nancy Baker, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, Washington Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning, Vesta North American President Martha Wyrsch, BNSF vice president of marketing John Lanigan, and ILWU Local 4 President Brad Clark. Vesta, which manufactures wind power systems, has an exclusive contract to bring its products destined for wind farms in the Columbia River region through the Port of Vancouver USA.

David Matsuda has been named Deputy Maritime Administrator by President Obama. Prior to joining MARAD, Matsuda was Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, a job he held since March 2009. He served for seven years prior to that on Capitol Hill where he participated in the formulation of major federal transportation legislation. Most recently he served as senior counsel and primary transportation advisor to U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey.

Phillip Sanfield will join the Port of Los Angeles on Aug. 7 as director of media relations. Sanfield, the editor and interim publisher of the Daily Breeze, replaces former port media relations director Lori Kelman. He announced his departure from the Breeze earlier this month. He joined the paper in 1983 as a copy editor.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was in Washington State this week, touring border crossings at Blaine, visiting Bellingham for a look at the 2010 Olympics Coordination Center, then meeting with federal and state law enforcement official at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Seattle to discuss cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and immigration issues. She was accompanied on her visit by Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire and Congressman Rick Larsen.

Port of Vancouver USA executive director Larry Paulson has been appointed to a term on the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. Paulson has been the port's top executive since 1999. He has also served as port deputy director and general counsel. He is a former brigadier general in the Oregon Air National Guard, from which he retired in 1999 after 31 years of service.

Nice story in the July 24 issue of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Coast Guard Adm. Peter Neffenger, former Los Angeles-Long Beach and San Francisco captain of the port. Neffenger currently heads the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland. Interesting bit of color in the story: His 20th-floor office looks out at the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame.
Cleveland Plain Dealer Story 

Sarah Lee has been appointed to the position of chief financial officer for the Port of Oakland. She previously was vice president of the public sector and infrastructure finance group for Goldman Sachs & Co. With a long background in banking, Lee assisted with the financing for the Alameda Corridor in Southern California. Lee will start the $15,584 per month job on August 3.

Darren S. Arakaki has been appointed auditor for the Port of Tacoma. He will assume that role in addition to his current position as director of accounting. He replaces Jeffrey L. Smith, who was laid off by from the port after 24 years.

Weber Distribution has welcomed John Laws as director of transportation and Don Buys as transportation sales executive. Prior to joining Weber, Laws was general manager of HFS North America. Buys has 24 years experience working for ABF Freight System.

Nico Melendez, TSA Public Affairs Manager, will be taking an extended leave of absence beginning on Friday. Melendez served in the Navy, both active and reserve, for over 18 years and is now returning to active duty. He expects to be away for at least 12 months. TSA hopes to announce his replacement in the coming weeks.

Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore took over command of the Coast Guard's 13th District from Rear Adm. John P Currier in a change of command ceremony Tuesday in Seattle. Following the ceremony, Currier was promoted to Vice Admiral. He has been nominated to be Coast Guard Chief of Staff by Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen. The change of command was presided over by Vice Adm. Jody Breckenridge.

Vice Admiral Jody A. Breckenridge assumed the command of the Coast Guard's Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Forces West last week. In the past two years, Breckenridge has been the Coast Guard's Director, Strategic Transformation Team in Washington, D.C. and is a former Commander of the 11th Coast Guard District. During that time Breckenridge took part in leading the district to record drug seizures, including the arrest of Francisco Javier Arellano Felix, head of the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel. She replaces Vice Adm. David Pekoske, who will become Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Capt. Roger R. Laferriere will take over command of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach today (7/15) from Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft in a change of command ceremony at Reservation Point on Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles. Wiedenhoeft will be transferring to Washington, D.C. where he will be Deputy for Assistant Commandant for Capabilities. Wiedenhoeft had been Captain of the Port for L.A.-Long Beach since 2006.

Congresswomen Laura Richardson and Eddie Bernice Johnson were at the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles last week, checking out port operations and taking a helicopter tour of the area, including the Alameda Corridor. Richardson, a former Long Beach City Councilwoman, had invited the Texas congresswoman to the port to gain her support for federal funding and such projects as finding a way to restructure the eight-mile-long Long Beach breakwater. Critics of the breakwater - built to reduce wave action and protect the harbor and beachfront residences - say it also acts to trap pollution near the shore.

Kelly Hope and Linda Hope, the son and daughter of the late comedian Bob Hope, are due at the Port of San Diego today to help dedicate the military artwork called "A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military." Hope was famous for his trips around the world to entertain American troops. The artwork, located at the port's G Street Mole, includes 15 life-sized bronze figures representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as well as a figure of Bob Hope himself. Port Commission Vice Chair Robert "Dukie" Valderrama, Rear Adm. Len Hering, and a group of World War II vets who helped raise money for the sculptures will also be present. Eugene Daub of San Pedro was selected by the Hope family to create the Bob Hope likeness. He and his partners, Robert Firmin and Jonah Hendrickson also sculpted seven of the military figures. Steven Whyte of Carmel did the other eight.

Tiffany Wlazlowski has joined NATSO - formerly known as the National Association of Truckstop Operators - as director of communications. She comes to the organization from the American Trucking Associations, where she was director of public affairs and deputy press secretary.

Coast Guard Cmdr. Michael Trimpert has taken over as head of the Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles from Capt. Salvatore Palmeri in a Change of Command ceremony at LAX. Palmeri is transferring to Coast Guard District 13 in the Pacific Northwest where he will serve as incident management branch chief.

Former Port of Astoria executive director Peter Gearin has been given a $5,000 fine and sentenced to one year of probation for letting possibly contaminated dredging spoils be released into the Columbia River. He got off a lot easier than the port itself, which ended up paying about $170,000 in fines for the 2005 incident. Gearin was later fired by the port board. The case involved deepening an area to accommodate cruise ships. Since early testing had shown some contamination, the permit required the port to hold the spoils until they could be tested. When the port ran out of space to store the material, Gearin authorized releasing some of the untested material into the river.

Rick Anderson, acting director of engineering at the Port of Olympia, can now stop acting. He has been officially appointed as the port's new Director of Engineering. He takes the place of Jeff Lincoln, who recently left Olympia to become executive director of the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Development Authority.

The Port of San Diego is saying good-bye to three long-time employees - land surveyor Chuck Setkow, senior redevelopment planner Bill Briggs, and administrative assistant Nancy Swihart. All three are retiring.

Other board officers elected by the commission were Vice President Mario Cordero, Secretary Mike Walter, and Assistant Secretary Susan Anderson Wise. Wise - the rookie on the port board - was appointed to the commission only six months ago. Although Cordero's term expires at the end of the month, he is expected to be nominated by Mayor Bob Foster for a second term. Long Beach Commissioners are limited to two six-year terms.
Who Voted For Whom

Richard A. Lidinsky Jr. - who began his career in 1973 as a legislative counsel for the Federal Maritime Commission - has been nominated to be an FMC commissioner by President Barack Obama. Lidinsky has been an attorney in private practice and a trade consultant for the past three years. He has 35 years experience in the maritime industry. The Maryland Port Administration named him Director of Tariffs and National Port Affairs in 1975, where he served until 1985. He then joined Sea Containers Ltd. as a vice president. He left the company in 2006.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa -- once seen as a man with a straight shot at being governor -- has bowed out of the 2010 gubernatorial race. Extremely popular when he was elected to replace Mayor Jim Hahn in 2005, Villaraigosa's political shine has been tarnished somewhat by an affair with a TV anchorwoman, the subsequent divorce, and a perception by many that he has fallen short of what was expected from him when he was elected.

Oxnard Harbor District board member Michael Plisky has sued the board and port Executive Director Anthony Taormina in order to be reimbursed for his wife's medical benefits. Plisky was elected to the five-member board in 1995 and has been getting health benefits as part of the job. He says he didn't find out until last year, however, that at least one other board member got benefits for his wife too. Plisky wants to be reimbursed for money spent on his wife's benefits. The Oxnard Harbor District is the administrative authority for the Port of Hueneme.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority has hired Jim Newsome as its president and CEO. Newsome comes to the job from Hapag-Lloyd America, where he was president. His appointment was expected. Word had leaked out early on that he was the front-runner on the applicant short-list.

Eric Waltz has been named senior vice president of Global Container Terminal, responsible for the company's two Canadian terminals, effective Aug. 26. He is currently Chief Operations Officer at APM Terminals in Cape Town, South Africa, overseeing all the company terminals in that region. During his career at APM, he has also worked in Tacoma, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Malaysia. GCT Global Container Terminals is a subsidiary of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Fund. The company's Canadian terminals are in Vancouver and Delta, British Columbia.

Jack Bland has been elected by the Port of Astoria Commission to replace Commissioner Kathy Sanders, who recently resigned from the board. It was not a unanimous vote. Bland was finally elected on the fourth try, following three inconclusive votes. Three of the commissioners - Dan Hess, Floyd Holcom, and Larry Pfund, voted for Bland. Commissioner Bill Hunsinger voted for Chris Connaway.

The good folks at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association have dusted off a 2008 idea and brought it back for 2009. The Father's Day Fund was based on the idea that maybe dad would rather help find a cure for cancer rather than get another tie. The way it works is you go to the Father's Day Fund website, pick out a cancer organization among those listed that you would like to contribute to, charge a donation to that organization and download a nice card for dad telling him how he helped find a cure. He can even hang it around his neck if he wants to. Check it out at: http://www.fathersdayfund.org  

Stockton City Council members were at the Port of Stockton this week, touring the port and checking out the facilities from a sulfur export terminal to a fertilizer import operation. They even got a chance to "chill out" in the port's new Inland Cold Storage refrigerated warehouse.

Port of Long Beach Commission President Jim Hankla, who is in his last month on the board, was handing out new granddad caps to commissioners Nick Sramek and Mike Walter. Sramek's first grandchild, Eleanor Patricia Ferwerda and born on June 9. It was the same day, unfortunately, that his father, Martin Henry Sramek passed away. Monday's board meeting was adjourned in his father's memory. Meanwhile the Walter family have welcomed new grandson Tyler Walter Wells to their clan.

Disbarred attorney Richard Fine, who made headlines back in the 90s by suing California ports and the cities they are part of, is spending a lot of time in lockdown. Fine, now 69, was jailed for contempt on March 4 after he refused to provide information about his personal finances. He remains defiant. Fine sued the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Diego back in the 90s after the state legislature passed a law that allowed cities to raid port funds in 1993 and 1994 to make up for budget shortfalls. The case ended in a settlement, which allowed the cities to keep the money. Fine later represented historical preservationists and bird lovers in their attempt to block development of a container terminal on the site of the former Long Beach Navy Station and Shipyard.

Joseph E. Brennan has been designated as Acting Chairman for the Federal Maritime Commission. He was governor of Maine from 1979 to 1987. He also served in the Maine House of Representatives and as a State Senator and State Attorney General. He is also a former member of Congress, where he was served on the Armed Services Committee and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.

Port of Seattle Commission Candidate Alec Fisken has reconsidered his recent decision to attempt to regain a seat on the port board. The former Port Commissioner, who served from 2003 to 2007, has withdrawn from the race before it has really even begun in order to focus on his business.

Another would-be candidate for a Seattle Port Commission seat has also decided not to run. Christopher Cain - publisher of "Port Observer" - has decided to "fight in other ways" the battle against "corporate control of the Port of Seattle."

The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C. is reporting that Hapag-Lloyd Americas Division President Jim Newsome looks like a shoo-in to be new chief executive for the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Newsome joined Hapag Lloyd in 1997 and was promoted to President in January. There are still five folks still in the running for the job, but Newsome is being touted as the hands-down favorite.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou stopped by Seattle while on his way back to Taiwan last week after official visits to Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Since the U.S. does not afford diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, Ma was not in town on official business which meant no hoopla or photo ops. He did however meet with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, chat with Governor Christine Gregoire on the phone and attend an evening event with about 150 folks from the local Taiwanese community.

Port of Hueneme Executive Director Anthony Taormina has been out in the community making friends and reassuring folks that there are no major port expansion plans in the works. Some of port neighbors have been concerned about possible development of wetlands in the area, but Taormina noted that business was down sharply because of the economy and there was little reason to expand. He also reminded them of port efforts to improve the environment and be good neighbors. The Port of Hueneme is administered by the Oxnard Harbor District.

Frank Anderson has been appointed to the Port of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) to represent the San Pedro and Peninsula Homeowner's Coalition. Harbor commissioners approved the appointment at their June 4 meeting. Anderson replaces Janet Gunter, who resigned from the PCAC in September.

After serving almost 12 years on the Port of Tacoma board, Commissioner Ted Bottiger has announced he will not run for re-election. Bottiger, 76, was a member of the state legislature from 1964 to 1987, the last five years as Senate majority leader.

Meanwhile, Tacoma Port Commissioner Dick Marzano says he does plan to run again for his seat on the board. Marzano, a longshoreman and member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, was first elected to the commission in 1995. He said both his experience as a commissioner and his years of working on the waterfront qualify him for the job.

Former Port of Seattle Commissioner Alec Fisken plans to run again for the Seattle port board. Fisken served on the board from 2004 to 2008. He lost his bid for re-election to Bill Bryant, who currently serves as board president. Fisken had a reputation as the board maverick, often criticizing board policy and the administration of former port Executive Director Mic Dinsmore, who has since been replaced in the top spot by Tay Yoshitani. Neither Commissioner Lloyd Hara nor Commissioner Pat Davis plan to seek another term. That leaves Commissioner John Creighton as the only incumbent in the race. Other candidates include: Tom Albro, Rob Holland, and Thom McCann.

Four candidates have signed up so far to run for two seats on the three-member Port of Olympia Commission. Incumbent Bill McGregor plans to seek re-election to his District 2 seat. Longshore worker Jeff Davis, retired Department of Ecology manager David Peeler, and Olympia Master Builders government affairs director Will Stakelin plan to run for the District 3 seat, currently held by Paul Telford, who is not seeking re-election.

Some top executives are out at YRC Worldwide Inc. in a shakeup at the giant transportation company. Four folks who are gone are former YRC Regional Transportation President Keith Lovetro, former Executive Vice President Michael Rapken, former YRC Logistics President Jim Ritchie, and former Vice President-Treasurer Christina Wise. New appointments include John Garcia, who is joining the company as executive vice president and chief sales officer; President and COO Mike Smid, who is assuming responsibility for operations at all YRC regional and national networks; Executive Vice President and CFO Tim Wicks, who will lead a newly consolidated organization comprised of all strategic and operational finance activities; Vice President of Finance and Investor relations Sheila Taylor, who will assume the role of Treasurer; Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Greg Reid, who will lead a consolidated marketing effort; Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mike Naatz, who will assume responsibility for the company's information technology and customer service; and John Carr, who will become President of YRC Logistics.

Glenn England has joined the Environ Consulting office in Irvine, Calif., as a principal consultant with more than 30 years of experience in air emissions and combustion technology projects. Michael DiCostanzo has joined the firm's Los Angeles officer as a manager. He has 18 years experience in environmental fields, including helping clients comply with air, storm water, waste water, hazardous waste, and hazardous materials regulations. Prior to joining the company, England was with Energy and Environmental Research Corp. DiCostanzo was with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Barry Horowitz, a well-known and outspoken logistics veteran, will return to his consulting business at CMS Consulting Service next Monday after four years as General Manager Container Marketing for the Port of Portland. He will continue to work with the port in a consulting role. His new contact info is Barry Horowitz, CMS Consulting Services LLC, PO Box 80366, Portland, OR 97280. Telephone: 503-208-2232. Fax: 503-208-2231. Email: barryh@cms-cs.com

Former Port of San Diego Commissioner Bill Hall is returning to the port board, but only temporarily. The Chula Vista City Council voted last week to appoint Hall as the city's interim representative on the board while it looked for somebody to replace him permanently. Hall served on the board for 2002-2003 and 2004-2006 before resigning to pursue other interests. He was replaced by Mike Najera, who resigned from the board two weeks ago after being asked to do so by Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. Hall agreed to serve on the port commission once again as long as it was only a temporary arrangement. The San Diego Unified Port District has seven commissioners - four of whom are appointed by the city councils of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, and National City. The other three are appointed by the San Diego City Council.

It was only last week that we were telling you that former Tacoma Mayor Brian Ebersole was planning to run for the Tacoma Port Commission. Well, now he's not. Ebersole says he plans to support his pal, Don Meyer, who currently heads the Foss Waterway Development Authority, for the post. He says when he announced his candidacy he didn't know Meyer was also planning to go for the same seat - the one currently held by Commissioner Ted Bottiger. Since Meyer was a guy he'd like to see on the port board, he decided to drop his bid.

Port of Seattle Commissioner Lloyd Hara has announced his intentions to run for the post of King County assessor. Hara, a former Seattle City Treasurer, says he'd also like to be a candidate for interim auditor, in case the current auditor Scott Noble decides to resign. Noble recently pleaded guilty to drunk driving. Hara, elected to a four-year term on the port board in 2005, says he would complete his term there. That will leave two empty seats on the five-member board. Commissioner Pat Davis, who is up for re-elected, has made it clear she does not plan to run. Commissioner John Creighton is also up for re-election.

Longshore worker Jeff Davis, a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, has announced his intentions to run for a seat on the Port of Olympia Commission. He is seeking election to the seat currently held by Commissioner Paul Telford, who has decided not to run for re-election.

Port of Board Commissioner Mike Najera resigned last week from the San Diego Port Board. Najera was appointed to the port board in 2006, following the resignation of Commissioner William Hall. He was reappointed by the Chula Vista City Council in 2006. Mayor Cheryl Cox had asked him to resign due to her lost confidence in his ability to push through with certain projects. At first, Najera refused to resign. He even considered taking legal action against Cox but decided against it since Chula Vista taxpayers would have to "foot the legal bill."

Gerry McCann, who was NYK manager of rail and terminal operations, died earlier this month at 61. He joined NYK in 1989. Prior to that, he was with Southern Cross Overseas Agency, Tricom Shipping, and TMM Mexican Line. He served on the board of the Steamship Association of Southern California, twice as the president. He was a guitar player and had a big collection of Aloha shirts.

Having 14 years of experience at the Port of Tacoma in senior management positions, Don Meyer has decided to run for a spot on the Port of Tacoma's commission. Meyer is currently the Executive Director of the Thea Foss Waterway Authority but is a former Deputy Executive Director for the Port of Tacoma. Also running for a seat on the same commission is Brian Ebersole. He is a former mayor of Tacoma, the former speaker for the Washington State House of Representatives, and former president of Bates Technical College. Both Meyer and Ebersole will be running for the seat currently held by Ted Bottiger.

Nautilus International Holding Corporation has appointed James R. Callahan to Chairman of the Board. He will continue to serve as Nautilus President and CEO as well.

Bob Brownstein has joined Halcrow's Consulting Business Group as Vice President and Regional Director of the Economics and Business Solutions Group in North America. With a specialty in procurement, project development, materials management, operations, maintenance, and information technology, Brownstein has been in the transportation business for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Halcrow, Brownstein served as the General Manager of Spears Technology. He also served as the Senior Director of Procurement with the New Jersey Transit Corporation.

Jack Block Jr., a crane driver at the Port of Seattle, has announced his intentions to run for the Burien City Council position now held by incumbent Sally Nelson. Block was on the Council from 2003 to 2007, the year that he ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Port of Seattle Commission. His father, Jack Block Sr., was a member of the Seattle Port Commission for 28 years until he was defeated for re-election in 2001 by Lawrence Malloy. Block is a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and a former Teamster.

Soren Thorup Sorensen will resign from Group CFO of A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S as of May 31. Sorensen joined the group in July of 2006 as the Group CFO. He was later appointed partner on July 1, 2007. The decision was made by Sorensen partially due to the workload threatening his health.

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor was in Long Beach last week talking to the members of the International Business Association at their World Trade Week luncheon. Kantor, who served in the Clinton Administration from 1993 to 1997, was one of the moving forces behind the North American Free Trade Agreement, a treaty he still vigorously defends. He warned that attempts at protectionism will backfire with devastating results.

Tacoma Port Commissioner Connie Bacon has announced that she plans to run for her fourth term on the port board. Commissioners Dick Marzano and Ted Bottiger will also be facing a vote this year if they want to retain their seats on the five-member board, but they have not yet announced their intentions. Bacon, 77, was executive director of the World Trade Center Tacoma from 1992 until 1997. She was elected to the Port of Tacoma commission in 1997.

Urban League of San Diego president Ray King - the former manager of Maritime Operations and Marketing at the Port of Oakland - has been named by the state Board of Education to its African-American Advisory Committee. King spent 25 years with the Port of Oakland before moving to San Diego in 2007 to run the Urban League office there.

Port of Olympia Engineering Director Jeff Lincoln has been hired as the first permanent executive director of the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Development Authority. The Harbor Works Development Authority was created by the Port of Port Angeles and the city to clean up and redevelop four sites. Lincoln, 60, plans to leave Olympia at the end of the month and take over his new position on June 1. Before joining the Port of Olympia two years ago, he was Facilities Development Director for the Port of Tacoma. A retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Army Corps of Engineers, he has also worked as public works director for the towns of Steilacoom and Poulsbo.

Former King County Executive Ron Sims has officially joined the Obama Administration as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. His King County duties are being handled by his Chief of Staff Kurt Triplett until an interim executive is named. A new county executive will be elected in November. Six candidates have sign up for that election.

Catherine Uemura has been unanimously appointed Assistant Secretary to the Port of Oakland Commission.

Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman says he plans to resign as mayor on June 8 to become Port of Bremerton CEO. He was formerly the mayor of Bellevue.

Diane Jacobus, assistant executive officer to the Port of Long Beach board has been appointed as Acting Executive Officer to the board. She replaces fromer executive officer to the board Alex Cherin, who was promoted last month to be managing director of trade relations and port operations.

Longtime Wilmington advocate and local businessman Ken Melendez is slated to be appointed to the Port of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee as the group's Wilmington-at-large voting member. L.A. harbor commissioners are due to approve the appointment Thursday. Melendez replaces Cecilia Moreno, a Wilmington resident and port employee in its community affairs division. Moreno resigned in April.

The L.A. board also is expected to name Donald Norton, Pacific Harbor Line's director of marketing and sales, as the PCAC voting member representing the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce. Norton replaces HAIC board member Bill Lyte, who resigned in March. The board is expected to approve Bill Walles of the Technoplex Group as HAIC's alternate member.

The Northern California World Trade Center has named Port of West Sacramento Manager Mike Luken as the 2009 Board Chair and Michael Faust as the President and CEO. Luken has managed the Port of West Sacramento since January of 2006. Prior to that Luken worked for the City of West Sacramento Redevelopment Department as a liasion between the port and the city. Faust also serves as the senior vice president of public policy and economic development for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Raymond Castelli has been appointed to the board of directors for the Prince Rupert Port Authority. He was appointed to the three-year term by Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird. Castelli is a native of Prince Rupert who now lives in Vancouver. He manages the Vancouver office of Alcan Aluminum, one of British Columbia's leading exporters to Asia and has developed business opportunities in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He also is chief executive officer for Weatherhaven, a manufacturing company that exports to more than 40 countries around the world.

Odd Eidsvik is leaving the board of directors of the Prince Rupert Port Authority after completing two three-year terms. According to the port, Eidsvik was appointed to the board in 2003 and "grappled with steep declines in cargo traffic, opened the Northland Terminal to launch Prince Rupert's cruise business, and entered a new era as a global port with the creation of the Fairview Container Terminal." Eidsvik is a chartered accountant and Prince Rupert resident.

Gary Paulson, director of operations and security for the Prince Rupert Port Authority, has been elected vice chair of the Prince Rupert committee of the British Columbia Chamber of Shipping. The COS represents the interests of the commercial ship owners, operators and agents in British Columbia. COS Director David Bedwell of COSCO says the formation of the Prince Rupert committee reflects the growth of maritime activity on the north coast of British Columbia.

Daniel Yi has joined the Port of Long Beach in a communications position handling media inquiries and promoting the functions of the port. His most recent position was at the Los Angeles Daily Journal as Associate Editor. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times. In a going-to-a-new-job memo to his buds at the Journal, Yi outlined his top ten responses he planned to use for reporters calling with questions. Here they are:
10 - We do not comment on pending litigation.
9 - We have not seen the complaint, therefore we cannot comment.
8 - No one is available to comment for your puny story.
7 - No comment.
6 - I have no comment.
5 - The Port of Long Beach has no comment.
4 - The dog ate my comment.
3 - The Port of Long Beach is an economic engine that provides thousands of jobs in the region while still being conscientious about the environment and world peace... What was your question again?
2 - Did you try the Port of L.A.?
And the number One standard response you are likely to hear if you call me at my new job....
1 - The Daily Who?

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