California Transportation Secretary Visits the Port

The Port’s Important Role in State’s Commerce was Highlighted

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December 8, 2021 – The Port of Hueneme welcomed California State Transportation Agency Secretary David S. Kim to the Port of Hueneme on Monday, December 6. His visit included discussions with Port workers and customers about how the Port of Hueneme is moving cargo and helping to relieve California’s port congestion.

Secretary Kim also met with Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Celina Zacarias, CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas and executive level Port officials to discuss how the Port’s growth continues to be one of the strongest economic engines for Ventura County and an environmental leader among the nations’ Ports.

“The Port of Hueneme plays a vital role in California’s transportation system, and I am thankful for the opportunity to see operations up close,” said Secretary Kim. “Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration is laser-focused on ensuring the efficient movement of goods throughout the state – including the Governor’s executive order specifying actions by state agencies to improve the supply chain – and the Port of Hueneme will continue to be a key part of the state’s freight strategy.”

Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner, Jess J. Herrera; California Transportation Secretary, David Kim; ILWU 46 Secretary/Chief Dispatcher, Armando Mendez; and ILWU Local 46 President, Warren Shelton meet at the ILWU Local 46 hall at the Port of Hueneme. 

“Secretary Kim’s visit is important because it shows a strong interest on the state level to learn more about the Port of Hueneme and how efficient we continue to be in terms of moving goods and commodities during a pandemic and supply chain crisis,” said Oxnard Harbor Commissioner, Celina L. Zacarias.

Secretary Kim took a tour of the Port and met with International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 46 President Warren Shelton and Secretary/Chief Dispatcher Armando Mendez. To listen and learn more from the front-line workers transporting and managing the flow of goods, Secretary Kim visited Anacapa Fresh Logistics and meet with General Manager, Nicole Muller, and he also visited Wallenius Wilhelmsen to meet with General Manager, Mike Wallace, to learn more about how cars and fruit — the Port’s niche commodities — move from a vessel to an off-Port facility for processing.

“What a wonderful opportunity it is for the Port of Hueneme to host Secretary Kim for the first time,” said Oxnard Harbor Commissioner, Jess Herrera. “Strengthening our partnerships on the local, state, and national levels is key to fostering the support that Ports need to continue providing a sustainable economy.”

Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Celina L. Zacarias, Mike Wallace from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and California Transportation Secretary, David Kim.

California Transportation Secretary, David Kim spoke with Nicole Muller from Anacapa Fresh Logistics about the process of getting their commodities to market.

“One of our goals is to help put a dent in the overall congestion situation on the West Coast,” said Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director. “We will continue to work with CalSTA to address the state’s transportation needs and will go after state infrastructure funding that is so critical for the modernization of our Ports. By investing in each of the California Ports, the state is investing in our future economic potential and in ‘greening’ the environment in our state.”

Left to right: Miguel Rodriguez, Community Outreach Manager for the Port of Hueneme; Letitia Austin, Public & Government Relations Manager for the Port of Hueneme; Christina Birdsey, Chief Operations Officer for the Port of Hueneme; Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director; California State Transportation Agency Secretary David S. Kim; Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Celina L. Zacarias, and Dona Lacayo, Chief Commercial & Public Affairs Officer for the Port of Hueneme.