Commissioner Profiles

The Port is governed by a seven member Board of Port Commissioners; one commissioner is appointed by each of the city councils of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City, and three commissioners are appointed by the San Diego City Council. The Board establishes policies under which the Port's staff - supervised by the President and Chief Executive Officer - conducts its daily operations.

Lou Smith - Chairman

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Lou Smith was sworn in to represent the City of Coronado on January 5, 2010. Smith is a career naval officer, beginning in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. He completed three tours in Vietnam, supervising construction of combat facilities for the Marines. Later in his naval career, he was sent to Washington, DC where he worked with the Department of Defense and Congress on military base construction projects. Following his Washington assignment, he ran the Navy's Public Works Office in Keflavik, Iceland. Retiring from the Navy in 2000 as a two-star Admiral, Smith was directly responsible for more than 360 major naval bases throughout the world. After retiring, he chose to work in the public sector, serving as Chief Administrative Officer for San Diego City Schools. He had a major role in the execution of Proposition MM, a $1.5 billion school bond. Smith most recently served as Vice President of Facilities for Sharp Healthcare in San Diego. During his tenure there, he was involved in the construction of two new hospitals, each with a construction value of more than $150 million. He retired from Sharp in 2008. A registered professional civil engineer, Smith is a Fellow and Past National President of the Society of Military Engineers. His civic experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Taxpayer's Association, and the Board of Sharp Coronado Hospital. 

Ann Moore - Vice Chairman

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Ann Moore was appointed to the Board of Port Commissioners on Jan. 11, 2011, to represent the City of Chula Vista. She is a senior partner in the law firm of Norton Moore & Adams. Before joining the firm, Moore served as Chula Vista's City Attorney. She has practiced law for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in land use, real estate, redevelopment, environmental, and municipal law. She represents both developers and governmental agencies in processing land use entitlements for large scale residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Her areas of expertise include the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, Endangered Species Act, public infrastructure financing, the Brown Act, and Conflict of Interest laws. Moore graduated from San Diego State University with a Public Administration degree and she earned her law degree at the University of San Diego law school.

Lee Burdick - Secretary

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Lee Burdick was appointed on June 8, 2009 by the San Diego City Council to represent the city on the Board of Port Commissioners. Commissioner Burdick served as director of government affairs and general counsel for Jimsair Aviation Services. Active in civic affairs, she currently serves as the Executive Director of the California Health Care Coalition. She has served on the board of directors for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, was chair of the Chamber of Commerce Working Group on the City of San Diego General Plan Update, chair of the Chamber of Commerce Legal Committee and chair of the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. She is a past member of the National Aviation Transportation Association Airports Committee, the board of directors and chair of Program Committee for the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and is a current member of the working group on the County of San Diego's General Plan Update.

Dan Malcolm

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Dan Malcolm was sworn in to the Board of Port Commissioners on January 5, 2011 to represent the City of Imperial Beach. President and CEO of Malcolm Properties, he has extensive experience in the field of commercial real estate brokerage, investment, finance and commercial property development. He also maintains a separate law practice specializing in commercial real estate contract, transactional, entitlement and land use law. Commissioner Malcolm has previously served on numerous public and private boards including the Imperial Beach City Council, Metropolitan Transit Development Board, San Diego County Commercial Association of Realtors, South County Economic Development Council, SANDAG Shoreline Erosion Committee and as Chairman of Sweetwater High School District Bond Oversight Committee. He currently serves as Chairman of Sharp Coronado Hospital and as a director on the master board of Sharp Healthcare. Commissioner Malcolm holds an undergraduate degree in real estate finance from San Diego State University and was awarded a Juris Doctorate of Law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Bob Nelson

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Bob Nelson was appointed by the City Council of San Diego on January 10, 2011 to represent the City of San Diego on the Board of Port Commissioners. Nelson has served in government and politics for 40 years. Mr. Nelson served as President Clinton's representative on the U.S. Competitiveness Policy Council. He has been chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, the LGBT Community Center, and City of San Diego Revenue Review and Economic Competitiveness Commission. He has also served on the City of San Diego Public Utilities Advisory Commission, and in various advisory capacities to the Mayor of San Diego and the San Diego County District Attorney. He is a member of the Port Commission's Advisory Committees on Maritime Industry, Cruise Industry, and Environment. He is a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the World Trade Center San Diego. Prior to public service, Nelson built one of America's largest independent public relations agencies, now part of Porter-Novelli Group. His principal clients have included American Water, Anheuser-Busch Companies, the Association of American Railroads, California Teachers Association, The Irvine Company, San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Robert "Dukie" Valderrama

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Robert “Dukie” Valderrama was sworn in to represent the City of National City in January, 2005. In 2009, he served as Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. He served for two years as a Director on the San Diego County Water Authority Board and served on the agency’s Engineering and Operations Public Affairs Special Budget Committee. His past appointments within the City of National City include serving on the agency’s Planning and Environmental Professional Committees. He has also served on the City of National City’s Park and Recreation Commission and as Chairman of the agency’s Planning Commission. Active in civic affairs, he has served as Chairman of the Board of San Diego Construction Council, Inc. He is President of A-D & D Drywall, Inc. and of WestCoast Scaffold, Inc.

Scott H. Peters

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Scott H. Peters was sworn in to represent the City of San Diego in January, 2009. He served for eight years on the San Diego City Council, including as Council President from 2006 through 2008. Active in civic service, he was also a member of the California Coastal Commission, co-chair of San Diego's Clean Water Task Force and a member of the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority. He holds an undergraduate degree from Duke University and attended New York University School of Law. He has a long career in environmental law with international law firms, government, and his own firm, representing businesses, local governments and public interest groups.

Executive Leadership Group

Wayne Darbeau - President/CEO

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Wayne Darbeau was appointed the Port's President/CEO by the Board of Port Commissioners on December 10, 2010. Darbeau served as the interim President/CEO since October 5, 2010. Prior to that, Darbeau served as the Port's Vice President, Administration. He's been an executive leader for the past 13 years. During that time, he has held other key leadership positions within the Port, including Senior Director, Director and Administrator. Darbeau earned his B.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts; an M.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego; and an M.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. He has a stellar reputation as a results-oriented visionary leader with the strategic and systems know-how to motivate the workforce to high achievement in team-based settings.

Celia A. Brewer - Interim Port Attorney

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Celia A. Brewer serves as the Interim Port Attorney. Ms. Brewer has spent her legal career advising public agencies. She came to the San Diego Unified Port District in April 2010 from the San Diego County Water Authority where she provided counsel on Colorado River water supply issues, water conservation laws and compliance with federal and state environmental regulations. Ms. Brewer also served as the City Attorney for the City of Solana Beach and she is a past president of the San Diego County City Attorneys Association and a past member of the Legal Advocacy Committee of the League of California Cities. In addition, Ms. Brewer has represented irrigation, water and community service districts as well as public non-profit charter schools. She is the current president of the board of directors of the King-Chavez Academy of Excellence, Inc., a charter network operator responsible for overseeing several charter schools dedicated to improving educational opportunities.

The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Port Attorney report to the Board of Port Commissioners.

Randa Coniglio - Executive Vice President, Operations

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Randa Coniglio is the Executive Vice President of Operations of the San Diego Unified Port District. She has been with the Port since April 2000. She oversees the Real Estate, Maritime Operations, Government and Community Relations, Corporate Communications and Environmental/Land Use Management departments, as well as the Maritime Trade office. Maritime Operations covers the Cruise Ship Terminals, the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal. Prior to her position with the Port, Ms. Coniglio spent eight years handling a local portfolio of commercial investment properties for a Japanese firm, and five years in retail leasing and development. Ms. Coniglio holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego.

Karen Porteous - Executive Vice President, Administration

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Karen G. Porteous is the Executive Vice President of Administration of the San Diego Unified Port District. She has been with the Port since September 1995. She oversees the Human Resources, General Services & Procurement, Office of the District Clerk, and Human Resources Department, as well as the Audit and Risk function and serves as the Port’s chief negotiator for employee labor negotiations. Prior to her position with the Port, Ms. Porteous spent over 13 years working in private industry in the Human Resources field for a variety of companies including H.J. Heinz Corporation and Raytheon Service Company. Ms. Porteous holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Jeff McEntee - Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

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Jeff McEntee is the CFO/Treasurer for the Port of San Diego. He has held this position since November 2001. Prior to his current position, Jeff was the Director of Audit, Risk Management & Safety. Jeff started with the Port in October 1988. His prior work experience included public accounting and internal auditing at a variety of firms, including a Houston-based CPA firm; Brown & Root (now Kellogg Brown & Root), an international engineering and construction firm; Aminoil, a large independent oil company; and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Chief John A. Bolduc - Vice President, Public Safety

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Chief John Bolduc is the Vice President of Public Safety. In this role he oversees the Harbor Police Department, Homeland Security, and all facility security aspects of the Port of San Diego. Chief Bolduc joined the Harbor Police Department in May 2010. Prior to coming to the Port, he served in municipal policing in Minnesota for 23 years. Chief Bolduc served as Police Chief for the cities of Brainerd and Mora spanning nearly 13 years. He also served in patrol, investigations, training, and tactical operations in the Twin Cities area. Chief Bolduc holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He and his wife, Dawn, have two grown children living in the Midwest. In his spare time Chief Bolduc enjoys swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

Irene McCormack - Vice President, External Relations

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Irene McCormack is Vice President of External Relations of the San Diego Unified Port District. She has been at the Port District since November 2003, in leadership roles including Director and Assistant Vice President. In her current role, Ms. McCormack oversees legislative and government relations, community and media relations, communications and public relations. Ms. McCormack works with the Port District’s legislative consultants in Washington D.C. and Sacramento, California in advocating for a national strategy for America’s ports in terms of funding and infrastructure development. Prior to joining the Port District, Ms. McCormack spent 25 years as a journalist, working as a newsroom manager, reporter and assistant metro editor for The San Diego Union-Tribune. Her specialty was government, politics and public safety. Ms. McCormack attended the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts and the University of California, San Diego.

Brandy D. Christian - Vice President, Strategy & Business Development

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Brandy Christian is the Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, for the Port of San Diego. She is a strategist with over 14 years of experience consulting with organizations on organizational, policy, management, and technology strategies and issues. Brandy joined the Port of San Diego in October 2000. Her core responsibility is executive leadership of the strategic and business planning efforts of the organization. In her role, Brandy oversees strategy development, business planning, quality programs, new business and cruise development, marketing, and special events, and leads the Port's technology teams. Prior to joining the Port, Brandy was a management consultant with KPMG Consulting (BearingPoint). While at KPMG, Brandy consulted with public agencies regarding business process improvement, information systems implementation and strategic planning. Prior to a career in management consulting, Brandy worked in government relations with organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hilliard Inc., a national public relations firm. Brandy holds an MA in Public Administration from University of Southern California and BA in Political Science from University of Arizona. Brandy is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and serves as a state-level Examiner for the California Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award (CAPE).

Port of San Diego Overview

Vision Statement

To foster a world class Port through excellence in public service.

Mission Statement

While protecting the Tidelands Trust resources, the Port will balance economic benefits, community services, environmental stewardship, and public safety on behalf of the citizens of California.

• Board of Port Commissioners
• Executive Leadership Group

If you’ve spent time along the tidelands of San Diego Bay, did you know you were enjoying the state lands entrusted to the Port of San Diego? The Port of San Diego was created by the state Legislature to manage San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land on December 18, 1962.

The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, San Diego and Coronado waterfront properties.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 17 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

The Port is governed by a seven-member Board of Port Commissioners; one commissioner each is appointed by the city councils of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City, and three commissioners are appointed by the San Diego City Council.

“The Port of San Diego could not exist without its partners,” said Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, former Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “Because of them, the Port is able to fulfill its mission and its roles as an economic engine, community service provider, environmental steward and provider of public safety.”

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• Port Act (2.45 MB)
• Port Code (8.89 MB)
• Port Master Plan (15.6 MB)
• COMPASS Strategic Plan
• BPC Policies

Core Values

• Courage
• Diversity
• Fairness
• Fun
• Integrity
• Teamwork

Strategic Goals FY 2007 - 2011

• Goal 1: Promote the Port's maritime industries to stimulate regional economic vitality
• Goal 2: Enhance and sustain a dynamic and diverse waterfront
• Goal 3: Protect and improve the environmental conditions of San Diego Bay and the Tidelands
• Goal 4: Ensure a safe and secure environment for people, property and cargo
• Goal 5: Develop and maintain a high level of public understanding that builds confidence and trust in the Port
• Goal 6: Develop a high-performing organization through alignment of people, process and systems
• Goal 7: Strengthen the Port’s financial performance

We'd Like to Hear From You

Customer Service

Not sure where to send your comments or questions? Talk with our Customer Relations Assistants during normal business hours, at (619) 686-6200 or (800) 854-2757, from outside San Diego. You can also email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Business Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday

• Main Phone: (619) 686-6200
• Toll-free: (800) 854-2757
• Press contact information

Addresses & Maps (View maps for directions)

I want information on:

Press Contact Information (authors and editors)

Corporate Communications (619) 686-6222

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  Director
  (619) 400-4789
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  Media Representative
  (619) 686-7206
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  Manager, Media Relations
  (619) 686-6281

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  Web Content Specialist
  (619) 686-6216
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  Photo-journalist
  (619) 686-6461

Environmental Services (619) 686-6254

COMPASS Strategic Plan FY 2007-2011

The COMPASS plan below is the most recent.

• COMPASS Strategic Plan (pdf)

What Kinds of Uses can be on the Waterfront?

Tidelands Trust Uses

The waterfront area managed by the Port is called state public trust land. This land that must serve statewide, as opposed to purely local, public purposes. Public trust uses are generally limited to water-dependent or water-related uses including:

• Commerce
• Fisheries
• Navigation
• Environmental preservation
• Recreation

Examples of appropriate uses are:

• Ports, marinas, docks, wharves, and buoys;
• Hunting, commercial and sport fishing;
• Bathing, swimming, boating;
• Warehouses, container cargo storage, facilities for the production of oil and gas;
• Visitor serving facilities such as hotels, restaurants, shops and parking lots;
• Wildlife refuges, scientific study; and
• Open space

Uses not permitted on public trust lands are those not related to the list above, do not serve a public purpose, and can be located on non-waterfront property such as residential, non-maritime related commercial, including department stores, and certain office uses.

Links

For additional information on stewardship of state tidelands, please refer to the following documents:

• Public Trust Doctrine (PDF)
• California Tidelands: Land Held in Public Trust (PDF)