Olvera announces goals for Port of Long Beach

Bobby Olvera Jr. began his term as Harbor Commission President on Monday by accepting the gavel and announcing his goals to increase community engagement and connect industry partners with local schools for the year ahead at the Port of Long Beach.

Olvera, a fifth-generation longshore worker currently serving as International Vice President (Mainland) of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, said he intends to strengthen the Port’s ties to nearby neighborhoods most impacted by port operations, particularly those in West Long Beach and in North Long Beach. He succeeds Harbor Commissioner Sharon L. Weissman, who served as the Board’s president for the past 12 months.

“Some of the most important work we do involves community engagement and encouraging students to participate in our education and workforce programs,” said Olvera, who was appointed to the Board in 2020. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Harbor Commission and Port staff to build the workforce of tomorrow and secure our role as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade.”

“I would like to congratulate President Olvera for being selected by colleagues to navigate the Harbor Commission through the year ahead,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We look forward to working with him to improve the lives of people living near the Port and bolstering our education partnerships.”

As head of the Board that sets policy for the Port, Olvera said he also wants to increase the Board’s support of the Port’s education outreach programs such as the Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School in West Long Beach and the ACE Academy at Jordan High School in North Long Beach.

Additionally, Olvera said he plans to work with industry partners to donate new tools and equipment for shop classes at local high schools.

The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2022, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the fourth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.