The Long Beach Harbor Commission, a five-member panel that oversees the Port of Long Beach, elected Bobby Olvera and Bonnie Lowenthal as president and vice president of the board, respectively, officials announced Tuesday.
Olvera previously served as the commission’s vice president, and Lowenthal is a former Long Beach City Council member and a former member of the state Assembly.
Commissioner Frank Colonna will serve as secretary of the board.
The board made the choices Monday. The commission’s new officers will begin their terms at the next scheduled meeting on Aug. 14, when outgoing President Sharon Weissman will hand the gavel to Olvera.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as president by my colleagues,” Olvera said. “We are at a critical juncture in our port’s history as we accelerate our progress toward zero emissions.”
Olvera added that he is looking forward to collaborating with colleagues, port CEO Mario Cordero, staff and industry partners “to build a more efficient, sustainable and equitable port.”
The incoming president is a fifth-generation longshoreman and serves as the international vice president (mainland) of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. He began his 30-year history with ILWU in 1989 and he held numerous leadership roles, including three terms as president of Local 13.
In 1991, Olvera took a leave of absence to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In addition to his work as a labor leader and his military service, Olvera served on boards of the Miguel Contreras Advocacy Foundation and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Labor Community Services.
He is a former member of the Long Beach Economic Development Commission, and first joined the Harbor Commission in 2020.
Under the City Charter, the board of commissioners sets policy for the port and directs the port’s CEO, who leads about 530 employees in developing and promoting the Port of Long Beach.