Long Beach port chief Richard Steinke steps down in September 30

LONG BEACH port boss Richard (Dick) Steinke has announced he will step down as executive director on September 30 after heading the port for 14 years, reports the Los Angeles Business Journal.


"I'm pleased I can move on, knowing that I leave the port a better place than when I came on board," he said in a press release.


Said chief harbour commissioner Nick Sramek: "Dick has been instrumental in developing the Port of Long Beach into one of the top seaports in the world."


Said Pacific Merchant Shipping Association president John McLaurin: "Dick's even keel, common sense personality and management style served the port and the City of Long Beach extremely well."


Mr Steinke made his mark by planning major expansions and starting the Green Port Policy that includes the Clean Trucks Programme, highly unpopular with independent truckers who account for most harbour drayage, but it is favoured by the Teamsters union, environmentalists and big trucking companies. Mr Steinke also negotiated early funding and planning for the US$950 million Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project.


Mr Sramek said the Harbour Commissioners would begin the search for a replacement shortly, and Mr Steinke will assist in the selection and the smooth transition to a new executive director.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)