PORT GOVERNANCE
with incredible success. Our ports have developed many new strategies to continue cleaning the air. I am proud to have authored in the legisla- ture a California Freight Plan which is updated regularly. This is good for both business and the environment. Our recent proposal for wind energy will be a game changer for our state! The key to success for commission- ers is the many relationships that have been developed over many years: in Washington and Sacramento. in APP, with commissioners from the many ports that comprise APP and other port conferences. As we learn from each other so goes the success of our ports. Sharon Weissman, Port of Long Beach T he Port of Long Beach is the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach and the Harbor Commission is the governing board of the Port. The Commission sets policy for the Port, approves expenditures and contracts, and hires and supervises the CEO. We delegate the operation of the Port to our staff. I had a background in transporta- tion and some knowledge of goods movement having worked for city councilmembers and an assembly- member who chaired or served on vari- ous transportation committees, but had never worked at a port. I was for- tunate to join the Harbor Commission during COVID so all our meetings were virtual. This allowed me to look up terms during our meetings, such as port pilot, without anyone being the wiser. It was unusual that I served on the Commission for a year and a half before I was in a room with the other four commissioners. The opportunities for Ports are also challenges. Getting to zero emissions
Bonnie Lowenthal, Port of Long Beach T he Long Beach Commissioners serve as the governing body of the Port of Long Beach which includes the hiring of the CEO. As a body of 5 members appointed by the Mayor it is essential to work collab- oratively and learn from each other, as well as to become educated with ongoing staff meetings and reports. Having served for many years as an elected official representing both the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, I have an extensive understanding of the day-to-day operations as well as the long term visions of both ports. Commissioners have the oppor- tunity to meet with members of the greater community who may have a business related to port operations. In addition, meeting with the labor unions, including the ILWU, regu- larly provide input on their needs for safety and improved working condi- tions. The marine terminal operators are key to efficient operations and to the success of our business since we are a landlord port. Also, community members have been actively working on many fronts to clean and green the ports. Commissioners work regularly with elected officials to share ongoing port essential needs for the budgets of those bodies. While we, as a commission, sup- port the vision of the CEO we also give input on unmet needs to sup- port port operations. For example, I
have promoted an improved process for bringing new business to apply for funding. This has led to a new pro- curement system. I’ve also worked to expand our educational opportunities at the local level in the high schools, and supported more opportunities for girls and women in the goods move- ment sector. Ensuring that we grow a diverse workforce has been a priority for me. As we do that we have raised our workforce training opportunities for the trades with the local commun- ity colleges. As a former city councilmember, when the ports had a moniker of the diesel death zone, I was able to intro- duce cold ironing (shoreside power) to the Long Beach port for the very first time. That was in 2002. Since that time I have continued to work on emission reduction systems in port operations Port of Long Beach Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal
28 — PACIFIC PORTS — July 2026
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