Joel Valenzuela Named New Director of Port’s Maritime Operations

Friday, 23 July 2010
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

Joel Valenzuela, a 15-year employee of the Port of San Diego, has been named Director of Maritime Operations. Previously the Department Manager of Maritime Industry and Trade Relations of the Port, he assumed his new role July 19.

In his new position, Mr. Valenzuela will direct the operations, maintenance and development of the Port's maritime facilities and infrastructure, including the Port's cargo and cruise terminals, public piers, wharves and docks.

He is also responsible for ensuring maritime facilities' compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, administering the Port Tariff, which contains provisions and rates applicable to all commercial maritime activity in San Diego Bay, as well as enforcing maritime lease agreements and contracts.

Although the Port has imposed a hiring freeze due to budget constraints, the Maritime Director position, which had been vacant for nearly a year, was filled because it is considered critical to Port of San Diego operations.

While Department Manager of Maritime Industry and Trade Relations, Mr. Valenzuela developed cargo business at the Port of San Diego to optimize the use of terminal infrastructure. This resulted in increased revenue generation for the maritime division. He also worked closely with the Port of San Diego's overseas customers to maintain positive business relationships. Mr. Valenzuela was also instrumental in the securing of major customer accounts including windmill components, steel and yacht imports.

"We are pleased to name Joel as Director of Maritime Operations," said Charles Wurster, President and CEO of the Port. "His experience with terminal management and international trade will help us rebuild our cargo numbers and increase revenue. Not only that, Joel has extensive employee and customer relations experience, which will enable him to effectively lead the Maritime Operations Department."

Mr. Valenzuela is a certified Professional Port Manager, having completed extensive training through the American Association of Port Authorities. In addition to his career with the Port's Maritime Division, Mr. Valenzuela also served as a project analyst in the Port's Executive Offices. In this role, he prepared budgets and performed economic, financial and qualitative analyses of organizational issues.

He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. His undergraduate degree is in Management Science and Economics, earned at the University of California, San Diego.

His professional affiliations have included serving as an Infrastructure Committee Member for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, an Issues Advocacy Committee Member of the San Diego World Trade Center, and memberships with the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Business Association, the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego South County Economic Development Council. Additionally, he is a graduate member of LEAD San Diego.

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