Management & Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Geraldine Knatz, P.h.D., Executive Director

Serving as the chief executive officer of the Port of Los Angeles, the executive director administers all policies developed by the Board of Harbor Commissioners and provides overall direction regarding the daily operation of the Port. All orders, rules and regulations adopted by the Board are implemented through the Executive Director.

In the Executive Director's absence, the order of succession is as follows:

• Deputy Executive Director, Development
• Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Administration
• Deputy Executive Director, Operations
• Deputy Executive Director, Business Development

COMMISSION OFFICE
Julie Wichmann Huerta, Senior Management Analyst II
Rose Dworshak, Board Secretary
Commission Office staff is responsible for maintaining complete and accurate minutes of all records for all Board of Harbor Commissioners meetings; publishes orders, resolutions and notices; prepares and distributes agendas and issues official communications regarding Board proceedings.

DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Michael R. Christensen, P.E., Deputy Executive Director of Development

• CONSTRUCTION
  Shaun Shahrestani, Chief Harbor Engineer of Construction
  Construction Division administers construction contracts and provides survey, construction inspection and materials testing services.
  
• CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE
  James Morgan, Acting Director of Construction & Maintenance
  Construction & Maintenance Division, which is housed at Berth 161, provides 24-hour, seven-days-a week support for the maintenance, repair, alteration and reconstruction of Harbor Department-owned facilities and infrastructure. Staff assigned to this division possess skills in traditional crafts such as electrical services, plumbing, carpentry, vehicle and equipment maintenance, painting, custodial services and gardening, as well as in more specialized fields such as the maintenance and repair of marine vessels and container cranes, pile driving and heavy equipment operation. Selected services are also provided to Port customers on a reimbursable basis, as time and scheduling permit.
  
• ENGINEERING
  Tony Gioiello, Chief Harbor Engineer of Design
  Engineering Division is responsible for all design plans, specifications and other contract documents necessary for the construction of new facilities and for any modifications to existing Port facilities. Permits, mapping and facility records retention are also under the jurisdiction of this division.
  
• ENIVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
  Dr. Ralph Appy, Director of Environmental Management
  Environmental Management Division assesses environmental impacts of development projects and determines appropriate mitigation measure as appropriate. Divisional duties include the preparation and distribution of any environmental documentation mandated by state and federal law; special studies involving dredging, noise abatement, water quality and air quality; contamination characterizations; wildlife management; and establishment of policies regarding environmental quality issues.
  
• GOODS MOVEMENT
  Kerry Cartwright, Director of Goods Movement
  The Goods Movement Division is responsible for administering a comprehensive goods movement policy that will be applicable to all terminal operators and the shipping, trucking, and railroad companies servicing the terminals and other facilities at the Port. The Division is also responsible for evaluating proposed goods movement programs and initiatives being developed by various governmental agencies and private companies working in the maritime transportation sector and identifying the feasibility of such initiatives with respect to improving transportation efficiencies and minimizing costs.
  

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION GROUP

Molly C. Campbell, Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Administration

• CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
  Karl Pan, Chief Financial Officer
  Directly oversees the Port’s Accounting and Budget, Debt Management, Financial Management, Internal Management Audit and Risk Management divisions and associated functions.
  
• ACCOUNTING AND BUDGET
  Vacant, Controller
  Accounting and Budget is responsible for maintaining the financial records of the Port, financial reporting and analysis, management of the Department's annual budget, administration of financial accounting activities, such as validating and processing ledgers, administration of petty cash, and the recording and analysis of financial transactions, as well as maintaining a system of internal controls to safeguard Port assets.
• DEBT MANAGEMENT
  Soheila Sajadian, Director of Debt Management
  Debt Management Division manages the Department’s cash resources, including investment portfolios of restricted cash balances, and short-term cash forecasting. The division is responsible for issuing and servicing bonded debt, administering the Commercial Paper Program, custodianship of security instruments held as deposit, and administering loans.
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  Vacant, Director of Financial Management
  Financial Management is responsible for all functions related to financial analysis and credit/collections. Financial analysis involves lease negotiations, lease price structures, rate of return and performance analyses; preparation of the long-term financial/business model used in strategic business planning and financing decisions; and independent financial analyses as requested. Credit/collection involves obtaining timely payments of funds owed to the Port pursuant to various leases/contracts, assessing the credit quality of prospective and existing customers, and making recommendations on establishment, expansion or curtailment of credit.
• INTERNAL MANAGEMENT AUDIT
  Vacant, Director of Management/Internal Audit
  Management/Internal Audit is responsible for the examination and evaluation of Port operating and internal control procedures to ensure effectiveness in achieving the Department's objectives.
• RISK MANAGEMENT
  Kathryn Merkovsky, Director of Risk Management
  Risk Management plans, directs and coordinates the insurance programs of the Harbor Department to control risk and loss. This includes the classification of risk, measurement of financial impacts of that risk, selection of techniques to manage loss, negotiations of insurance coverage and implementation of safety and loss prevention programs.
  
• CONTRACTS & PURCHASING
  Margie Hernandez, Director of Contracts & Purchasing
  The Contracts and Purchasing Division provides a fair, objective selection process for all of the Port's agreements and procurement opportunities. The Division actively seeks the participation of all qualified vendors, consultants and contractors in the Port’s contracting processes and is available to assist Port staff involved in contractor selection, administration and monitoring. It is the role of the Contracts & Purchasing Division to perform its duties in conformance with all Department/City policies and procedures, while adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
  
• HUMAN RESOURCES
  Tish Lorenzana, Director of Human Resources
  Human Resources Division is responsible for providing personnel-related services including the selection, retention and development of a diverse workforce. Since most of the Department’s staff is represented by labor organizations, this division represents the Department in communications with these organizations, reviews and makes recommendations regarding salary and benefit changes, and assists in resolving grievances and disciplinary matters. Human Resources is also responsible for logistics support including mail delivery, records retention and pool car coordination.
  
• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
  Greg Allison, Chief Information Officer
  Information Technology operates, maintains, develops and monitors the information technology requirements and infrastructure of the Port. A primary goal is to increase departmental productivity through the use of technology.
  

OPERATIONS GROUP

Captain John C. Holmes, Deputy Executive Director, Operations

• HOMELAND SECURITY
  George Cummings, Director of Homeland Security
  Homeland Security assesses seaport threats and vulnerabilities, while coordinating appropriate response actions. In addition to managing homeland security infrastructure development projects, the division’s responsibilities include grant writing as well as funding and executing grant-funded projects. Securing the nation’s ports, entryways and borders is a collaborative effort, in which the Port of Los Angeles works cooperatively with the neighboring Port of Long Beach, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other government agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
  
• LOS ANGELES PILOT SERVICE
  James Morgan, Pilot Service Manager
  The Port Pilots direct the safe movement of vessels in and out of the Port in cooperation with various navigational safety and enforcement agencies.
  
• LOS ANGELES PORT POLICE
  Ronald J. Boyd, Chief of Los Angeles Port Police
  As California peace officers, the Port Police are charged with ensuring the safe and uninterrupted operation of the Port through the enforcement of various, City, state and federal laws and regulations. The force maintains a 24-hour land and water patrol for the protection of persons, property, facilities and the environment. The Port Police direct the Department’s emergency preparedness and response activities, including liaison with other agencies in the event of a natural disaster or other widespread emergency.
  
• WHARFINGER
  Diane Boskovich, Chief Wharfinger
  The Wharfinger Division monitors all waterborne activities occurring within Port areas, and serves as a primary contact for the operational needs of customers and in the collection of all shipping service fees governed by the Port of Los Angeles Tariff. Operationally, the Wharfingers monitor the use of Port facilities by verifying shipping contract compliance, coordinating vessel berthing requirements, interpreting the Tariff and performing inspections of facilities. Wharfingers also compile and produce statistical reports on all cargo activities and prepare, publish and file the Tariff amendments.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Kathryn McDermott, Deputy Executive Director, Business Development

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  Ralph Hicks, Director of Economic Development
  The Economic Development Division is a new division responsible for developing and managing economic development initiatives, strategies, and programs with the Port that are consistent with the City’s overall program for creating employment opportunities within the international trade and goods movement sectors of the economy, both City-wide and in the local harbor community.
  
• MARKETING
  Michael DiBernardo, Director of Marketing
  Marketing Division provides direct communication with customers, shipping lines, shippers and others to ensure that Port facilities are utilized at their highest and best use. This division administers the activities of the Port’s network of overseas offices in trading centers around the world. The international offices, like the Los Angeles-based Marketing staff, provide marketing intelligence, technological assessments, and analysis of trade data that affects the Port’s future competitive position.
  
• PLANNING AND RESEARCH
  David Mathewson, Director of Planning and Research
  Planning and Research Division prepares and maintains a long-range Port Master Plan which guides the future development of the Port consistent with the provisions of the California Coastal Act. In addition, this division provides economic studies of proposed operational and facilities development as well as research projects including statistical analysis based on cargo trends and market projections.
  
• REAL ESTATE
  Michael Galvin II, Director of Real Estate
  The Real Estate Division is responsible for revenue generation from tenant occupancies, administers lease agreements, prepares analyses of proposed land uses, and prepares and administers programs related to land acquisitions and sales, fee adjustments, etc. This division is also responsible for the maintenance of Department buildings and properties.
  
• TRADE SERVICES
  Jim MacLellan, Director of Trade Services
  Trade Services is a new division responsible for implementing a proactive marketing program designed to attract and retain beneficial cargo owners to the Port, particularly in the areas of breakbulk and dry and liquid bulk shippers. Trade Services will focus on promoting an increase in the throughput of specialized commodities at the Port with emphasis on export cargoes.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

Arley M. Baker, Senior Director of Communications & Legislative Affairs

• COMMUNITY RELATIONS
  Theresa Adams Lopez, Director of Community Relations
  The Port's Community Relations division is responsible for outreach programs to engage community members, students, civic groups, business groups, and other stakeholder audiences throughout Southern California. Outreach programs include: employee and executive speakers bureau; year-round school and public boat tours, "Community Connect" open houses; staffed informational booths at community events and functions; and a variety of other programs, including Portfolio, the Port's quarterly cable television show.
  
• CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
  Julia T. Nagano, Director of Corporate Communications
  Corporate Communications manages a majority of Port-sponsored events, community outreach programs, publications, educational programs, advertising, and marketing support activities. The Communications Services group within Corporate Communications provides Department-wide support services in the areas of print and audiovisual production, as well as event production support.
  
• MEDIA RELATIONS
  Gordon Smith, Director of Media Relations
  Media Relations Division responds to media inquires, establishes and maintains relationships with local and international media, and strives for accuracy in resulting media coverage and Port messaging. Media support includes scheduling and coordinating tours, press conferences, interviews, editorial submissions, photography and video shoots.

CITY ATTORNEY

Thomas A. Russell, General Counsel

As the legal advisor for the Board of Harbor Commissioners and Harbor Department staff, the Office of the City Attorney renders legal opinions on various laws and ordinances, assists in contract negotiations, represents the Department in all judicial and legal administrative proceedings, and litigates the settlement of claims.