GENE SEROKA CONFIRMED BY LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PORT OF LOS ANGELES
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — June 11, 2014 — The Los Angeles City Council today unanimously confirmed veteran shipping industry leader Gene Seroka as the new Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.
“Gene Seroka is a dynamic, seasoned executive with all the right knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities and navigate the challenges of a fiercely competitive industry and ensure the Port of Los Angeles continues to thrive as a global leader in international trade,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“The Los Angeles trade gateway is a vital force in our nation’s economy,” Seroka said. “I am honored to lead the team dedicated to making this powerful engine the most competitive, efficient and sustainable source of prosperity for the benefit of both our region and U.S. international trade.”
15th District Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino said, “I am excited about Mr. Seroka’s commitment to investing in a strong port that benefits the harbor communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. I feel that he understands my priority and urgency of redeveloping our LA Waterfront, which will create jobs, boost our economy and strengthen the value of our neighborhoods that surround the Port of Los Angeles.”
“Mr. Seroka’s impeccable credentials and extensive knowledge of the maritime and goods movement industries make him the perfect fit to run our Port,” said Ambassador Vilma Martinez, President of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission. “He has worked closely with every link in the global supply chain, with much of his career focused on Asia and the Americas, and that experience, coupled with his strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, will take our Port to new heights.”
Seroka brings more than 25 years of experience in shipping, global logistics and executive management to the Port. Most recently, he was Head of Commercial in the Americas Region for American President Lines (APL) Limited. After several key overseas positions for APL, he returned to the U.S. in 2010 to become President – Americas for APL Limited in Phoenix where he managed sales for APL’s Liner Shipping, managed 1,000 employees and was responsible for all commercial, port terminal, intermodal and labor activities throughout the region.
Seroka joined APL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) and the world's seventh largest ocean carrier, in 1988 as a sales support representative in the company’s Cincinnati office after earning an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of New Orleans. Over the years, he has held various positions in the sales management and marketing fields with increasing responsibility and high-level assignments all over the world. Throughout his career, Seroka has played a key role in global marketing and corporate strategies for APL.
Seroka’s first overseas posting was in Shanghai where he served as Director of Sales and Marketing for North and Central China from 1999 to 2003. He then moved to Jakarta where he was President Director of PT. APL and APL Logistics in Indonesia for two years before relocating to Singapore in 2005 to become Vice President of APL Logistics’ business units in 26 countries in the company’s Asia/Middle East and South Asia regions.
From 2008 to 2010, he served as Regional Vice President for APL and APL Logistics Emirates LLC in Dubai where he managed APL’s business in the Middle East and East Africa.
As the Port’s Executive Director, Seroka will be responsible for managing a $938.8 million budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volumes and promoting innovation and sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy. The duties involve interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including Port customers around the globe, industry partners, elected and appointed officials at all levels, and harbor area residents and business leaders.
The Harbor Board of Commissioners unanimously voted June 5 to approve Seroka for the executive director’s position. Mayor Garcetti’s May 27 announcement that he had chosen Seroka for the job concluded a global search to fill the Port’s top management post.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.