The Los Angeles harbor commission elected a new president and vice president at its Thursday, July 20, meeting, while also bidding farewell to two longtime port executives who are retiring.
Newly appointed Los Angeles harbor Commissioner and former U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard was selected by her colleagues to lead the port panel as president; Commissioner Diane Middleton was selected as vice president.
Both votes were unanimous.
Roybal-Allard — along with Commissioners Michael Muñoz and Lee Williams — was tapped by incoming Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in May to serve on the board that oversees the Port of LA’s management and operations. Roybal-Allard previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives for three decades and was the first Mexican American woman elected to Congress.
Middleton, San Pedro resident, has been on the board since March 2019 and was kept on by Bass after the mayor’s election. Middleton is an attorney and expert in labor and maritime law who has been active in Harbor Area labor and civil rights issues.
Also continuing to serve is outgoing Vice President Ed Renwick.
The board’s former president, Jaime Lee, was not retained by Bass on the board so that position has been vacant, with Renwick taking the temporary reins.
Roybal-Allard, Renwick said in making the nomination Thursday, has a record of “exceptional leadership qualities” and being fair.
She also brings knowledge — and connections — to the federal government in her new port position, Renwick added.
Roybal-Allard nominated Middleton for vice president.
“She not only cares about the integrity of the port but the impact it has on the community,” Roybal-Allard said. “Her expertise and knowledge play a critical role on the board.”
The commission meeting also marked the departures of two long-time port executives, Soheila Sajadian, director of Debt and Treasury Management, who is leaving after 20 years; and Tony Gioiello, deputy port director of…
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