Meet the Crew

A LEADER IN MARITIME-BASED TRADE, TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

A proven leader, Kristin Decas repeatedly demonstrates her ability to build a vision and implement strategy through open, collaborative processes that foster results. Since beginning her tenure with the Port of Hueneme in February 2012, the Port has realized several successes. Tonnage totals reached significant new milestones with cargo growing from 1.3 million tons in FY 2012 to over 2.3 million tons in FY 2023, marking the Port’s strongest sustained trade years since its inception in 1937. With cargo up 80% since Kristin took the helm, revenues have grown an impressive 133%. Known for its niche in automobiles, bananas, fresh fruit, fertilizer, high and heavy, and project cargo, Port of Hueneme’s trade-related activities generate $2.8 billion in annual economic impacts, this represents more than a 250% increase since 2012. Trade through the Port spurs 24,997 direct, indirect, induced, and influenced jobs and $236 million in state and local tax revenues, increases of 144% and 342%, respectively, over 2012 performance.

Kristin’s leadership has brought millions of dollars to the Port in grant funding. Most recent successes include securing a historic $80 million Port Freight and Infrastructure Program grant funding through the FY23 Governor’s Budget for projects aimed at generating economic growth, significant environmental and innovative progress, and social equity.  Also on her watch, the Port secured a $11.9 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant from the Ventura County Transportation Commission, a $5 million grant from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, and a $5 million state earmark to implement innovative technologies and build zero-emission infrastructure improvement projects. During her tenure, the Port also received over $1,000,000 from the EPA for Community Air Quality Monitoring and shoreside power projects, over $7.5 million from the California Air Resources Board grant for zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, a $12.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER), and approximately $6.5 million federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants. She also worked with the finance team on putting together a complex $15 million New Market Tax Credit deal to help fund berth electrification projects.

Kristin championed the Port’s first annual Banana Festival drawing over 12,000 visitors each year. In 2019 and 2020, the festival was replaced with “Feeding the Frontline” events during the pandemic, which leveraged Port customers, small business owners, volunteers, and local health clinics to bring over 1.5 million lbs. of produce and other resources to 50,000 families in Ventura County.

Through Kristin’s leadership, the Port of Hueneme initiated its environmental framework which has led to the development of world-class air quality monitoring in South Oxnard. Another milestone under Kristin, the Port was the first California port to receive Green Marine Certification in California and earn the title of the Greenest Port in the United States at the Green Shipping Summit in 2017.

Prior to coming to the Port of Hueneme, Kristin served as CEO and Port Director at the Port of New Bedford, MA, the nation’s number one value fishing Port. Under her leadership, the Port realized significant growth in port development, cruise, and recreational boating activity. Kristin is recognized by Trade Administration officials for her impressive work in leveraging economic development through international trade promotion and for her service on several federal shipping and port committees. From 2015 through 2019, Kristin served as the President of the California Association of Port

Authorities (CAPA) representing California’s 11 deep water ports, providing educational leadership and advocacy on issues related to transportation, trade, the environment, land use, energy, and other subjects affecting port operations. Kristin was awarded high-profile appointments by the U.S. Department of Transportation to the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). In 2015, Kristin served as The National Chairperson of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade association representing more than 130 public port authorities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Kristin was the first woman to lead the Port of New Bedford in its more than 50-year history and the Port of Hueneme in its 87-year history.  She was the 4th woman to chair the Association of American Port Authorities in 112 years.

In 2022 and 2024, Kristin was named one of Pacific Coast Business Times’ Most Influential People, and by the same publication since 2015, she has been named in the top 50 businesswomen for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.  Kristin was a Woman of the Year Recipient given by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Monique Limon in 2019.  In 2017, Kristin was named Maritime Executive of the Year at the Green Shipping Summit USA, acknowledged as Top Port Director of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), and was named Outstanding Woman of the Year in International Trade by Women in Transportation – Los Angeles Chapter (WIT-LA). Kristin also made the list for the Pacific Coast Business Times 2017 “Who’s Who” in Business Leadership. In 2016, Kristin was recognized by Worldwide Branding as a Top Female Executive. Kristin received Woman of the Year from the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce in 2014.

Kristin also supports her community by serving as the current Chair of the Economic Development Collaborative Executive Board.  She lives in Oxnard, CA, with her husband and is the proud mother of two daughters.