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NEWSWATCH 8 Long Beach Business Journal
Manufacting Designation (Continued From Page 7)
Receiving the designation is “a big gain for Southern California,” Golshani pointed out. “Southern California has been impacted more than any other region in the nation because of the downtrend in aerospace manufacturing. This grant will be our vehicle to get back to the level [of aerospace manufacturing] that existed in the ’90s,” he added. The designation enables the aerospace and defense manufacturing industry in Southern California “to upgrade our infrastructure and modernize our facilities,” enabling the regional industry “to be competitive globally,” he said. Long Beach Director of Business and Property Development Michael Conway, in an e-mail to the Business Journal, called the designation “a unique opportunity . . . to showcase Southern California as the manufacturing center of our state. With our historic relationship with Boeing and ongoing partnerships with Douglas Park and Pacific Pointe [the industrial development by Sares-Regis], the manufacturing base in Long Beach has not only been preserved, but is now prospering in the new, post-recession, economy,” Conway said. “Our designation as a manufacturing community serves to underscore our success, but challenges us to do more through partnerships beyond our city limits.” ■
L.A. Harbor Commission Approves New Director Gene Seroka, Budget ■ By SAMANTHA MEHLINGER Staff Writer
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Last week, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners made two decisions that impact the future of the Port of Los Angeles (POLA): Approving Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s appointment of American Presidents Line (APL) executive Gene Seroka as executive director of the port; and signing off on a $938.8 million budget for fiscal year 2014-2015. Seroka (pictured) is head of commercial overseeing APL’s Americas region. APL is a division of ocean carrier Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), which is based in Singapore and is the world’s seventh largest ocean carrier, according to POLA. Seroka has also served as president of the Americas region, vice president of APL Logistics Ltd. and managing director of APL and APL Logistics Indonesia, among other positions. Seroka replaces Interim Executive Director Gary Lee Moore, who was temporarily filling former Executive Director Geraldine Knatz’s position while the harbor commission sought a replacement after Knatz’s retirement in November of last year. Moore returns to his position as the City of Los Angeles’ city engineer. In a statement, Garcetti thanked Moore for his service at the port.
June 10-23, 2014 Garcetti announced his nomination of Seroka on May 27. “I’m confident that Gene will be a strong leader who will enhance our international trade agenda, increase reliability and efficiency through effective management and labor relations and ensure our port is a sustainable and positive neighbor to the harbor community,” the mayor said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that Mayor Garcetti has tapped me to lead the Port of Los Angeles – the busiest container port in the United States,” Seroka said in a statement. “I look forward to focusing our operations to provide world-class customer service while continuing to invest in a healthy and vibrant harbor community.” The announcement of Seroka’s nomination as POLA executive director also received a positive response from the head of the harbor commission and the business community. “Gene Seroka is uniquely qualified to lead the Port of Los Angeles,” Vilma Martinez, president of the L.A. harbor commission and former U.S. ambassador to Argentina, said in a press release. “His maritime and global commerce expertise, leadership skills and strategic vision are exactly what we need as the nation’s premiere trade gateway.” The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), which represents POLA customers, applauded Seroka’s appointment. “Gene has extensive experience within the maritime industry and is greatly respected by all segments of the community,” PMSA President John McLaurin said in a statement. McLaurin praised Garcetti and the harbor commission for “conducting a transparent, thorough and methodical search” for an executive director. Seroka’s appointment awaits final approval by the L.A. City Council.
Budget Approved Also at the June 5 meeting, the L.A. harbor commission approved a $938.8 million fiscal year budget for 2014-15, with about 37 percent of the funds dedicated to capital expenditures. A POLA staff summary said projects within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) enable the port “to maintain its competitive edge and support waterfront development while enhancing job creation and economic development.” A statement from POLA indicated 87 percent of the CIP budget is dedicated to terminal development and transportation projects. About $100.4 million was allotted for the TraPac Terminal expansion, an ongoing project to improve TraPac’s facility with stacking cranes, automated vehicles and ondock rail, among other features. POLA tenants Yang Ming, APL, Evergreen, YTI and China Shipping were allotted $19.2 million for improvements to their terminals. Transportation-related rail, vehicle movement and grading projects are the beneficiaries of about $109 million from the CIP budget. About $38 million in CIP funds are for projects benefitting the community, including the redevelopment of the L.A. Waterfront, according to POLA. Port operating expenses make up $217.3 million of the total fiscal year 2014-15 budget, of which $18 million is allocated for environmental management. ■