Thomas Fields, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, gave his official inaugural speech on Aug. 5, 2013.
In it, he outlined his plans to launch a 100-day “listening tour” with Port customers and other stakeholders, and to pursue the development of “maritime industry clusters” to enhance the Port’s economic benefits to the region.
“ We have a number of monumental challenges in front of us. Yet, those challenges represent major opportunities for growth and market share. Let’s start with $4.5 billion dollars of] investment in capital improvements and infrastructure. These projects include the Middle Harbor, Gerald Desmond Bridge, Pier G Redevelopment and shore power projects.
“To accomplish this ambitious program we’re beefing up our staff by hiring senior engineers, project managers, construction managers and project control specialists. I and this board have complete confidence in our senior management team led by Acting Executive Director Al Moro and Acting Deputy Executive Director Noel Hacegaba. They along with our staff will meet the challenge and deliver these projects on time and on budget. The payoff will result in greater productivity for our customers, ” he said.
Fields was elected as Board President on June 17, 2013, by his fellow board members, to a one year term from July 2013 through June 2014.
Download a transcript here
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Press Release, August 14, 2013