Port of Oakland gets a new director
James Kwon, a container terminal operator at the Port of Long Beach, has been appointed director of maritime at the Port of Oakland, the port has said.
He succeeds Wilson Lacy, who had been maritime director for 21/2 years. He resigned to become director of maritime commerce at the Port of Humboldt Bay, effective Aug. 1.
Kwon, 53, has been president and chief executive officer of Total Terminals International LLC at Long Beach. The company also has container terminals at the ports of Oakland and Seattle. During his tenure, Kwon helped Total Terminals increase revenue by as much as 250 percent and container volume by 30 percent, according to the Port of Oakland.
“James Kwon has extensive international trade experience which will be of great benefit to the Port of Oakland,” port board President Anthony Batarse said.
His responsibilities include the operations, management and marketing of the maritime division, with the goal of increasing the business, port spokeswoman Marilyn Sandifur said. He will head a capital program and help manage air-quality efforts “that address reducing air pollution and minimizing maritime operational impacts on our community,” Sandifur said.
Prior to heading Total Terminals International, Kwon was a sales manager for Hanjin Shipping Co., marketing director for Palmco Corp. and district sales manager for United States Shipping Lines.
He has a master certification in kendo, the martial art of Japanese fencing, and speaks Korean and Chinese.
While he was maritime director, Lacy concentrated on planning for a rail facility for the Port of Oakland. He also formed a partnership with the Port of Sacramento that would allow cargo to be moved by barge down the 43-mile man-made channel from West Sacramento to Suisun Bay and on to the Port of Oakland. That would take trucks off freeways, reducing emissions.
E-mail George Raine at graine@sfchronicle.com.
