Port People: Nanaimo, Oakland, Redwood City

Nanaimo Port Authority Welcomes New CEO

Ewan Moir takes the helm as president and CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority effective October 10. He succeeds Bernie Dumas, who retired September 30, after a nearly 40 years in the marine industry across Canada.

Mr. Moir has 20 years of senior corporate business experience, most recently as president and COO of Pacific BioEnergy Corporation, a Vancouver-based manufacturer of wood pellets with three plants in British Columbia. His resume also includes work for Ulstein in the marine ship building support industry In the United Kingdom, Singapore, Norway and Vancouver. Additionally, he has served as president of Mainland Sand and Gravel, senior vice president at SNC-Lavalin, president and CEO of Fraser River Pile and Dredge Inc., and a senior executive at Finning International.

Mr. Moir has an MBA degree from Queen’s University in Kingston (ON), an HND (Higher National Diploma) in mechanical engineering from Southampton University College in the UK and is a Certified Professional Accountant.

Commissioners Coburn and Hamlin Reappointed to Oakland Port Board

Michael Colbruno and Earl Hamlin have been reappointed to four-year terms on the Oakland Board of Port Harbor Commissioners. Their nominations in September by Mayor Libby Schaaf were approved October 3 by the Oakland City Council.

Mr. Colbruno is a partner in the public affairs firm the Milo Group of California. He joined the Board of Port Commissioners in 2013 and previously served on the city’s Planning Commission.

Mr. Hamlin is retired from investment bank Hambrecht & Quist. Originally appointed to the port board in 2012, he previously served on the Alameda County Planning Commission.

Both are past presidents of the port commission, which is the governing body of the Port of Oakland.
Also serving on the seven-member board are Commission President Joan H. Story, First Vice President Cestra "Ces" Butner, Second Vice President Andreas Culver, and Commissioners Arabella Martinez, and Alan S. Yee.

Oakland Port Commissioners Michael Colbruno (left) and Earl Hamlin
Photos/Port of Oakland

Redwood City Port Commission Elects Officers for 2017-18

The Redwood City Port Commission at its September 23 meeting elected Dick Dodge, Lorianna Kastrop, and Ralph Garcia, respectively, to one year-terms as chairman, vice chair, and secretary.

Mr. Dodge, who succeeds Simms Duncan as chairman, was originally appointed to the commission in 1980 and has since been reappointed to seven consecutive terms. That makes him one of the longest serving members of a public port governing board in the United. States. His current term expires in July 2018. Mr. Dodge is president emeritus of Office City, an independent office products dealership he has owned and operated since 1976.

Ms. Kastrop was first appointed to the port commission in June 2008 and reappointed in 2012 and 2016. She was the second woman to be appointed to the commission and the first woman to serve as chair. She is vice president of The Kastrop Group, Inc. architectural firm, and has a background in financial analysis. She is the founder of PortFest, an annual community event held on the first Saturday of October at the port.

Mr. Garcia has been a port commissioner since 2005. Earlier, he served 10 ½ years on the Redwood City Planning Commission, including a two-year term as commission chairman. He has owned Ralph's Vacuum and Sewing Center in Redwood City for more than 30 years.

The Redwood City Port Commission consists of five members, each appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council to terms of four-years. Port commissioners receive no compensation for their services.
Mr. Duncan remains on the board. The fifth commissioner is Richard Claire.

Saint John: Allen Bodechon Elected Port Authority Vice Chair

Allen Bodechon was recently elected to a two-year term as vice chair of the seven-member governing board of Port Saint John.

Mr. Bodechon joined the board in April following to his appointment to a three-year term by the provincial government of New Brunswick. He has more than 36 years of law enforcement experience at all levels of government and is the recipient of numerous professional awards and recognitions including the Order of Merit for the Police Forces—Officer Level (2008). His experience also extends to public and non-government organization boards.

"The election of Allen by his peers is an endorsement of the skills he honed during his career in law enforcement as well as a recognition of his experience with communities, boards and other volunteer activities," said Board Chair Philip Brewer.

Saint John is one of 18 port authorities established under the Canada Marine Act. The port authority board includes one representative each of the federal, provincial and municipal governments and four appointed by the federal government to represent port users.

The other board members are Vice Chair Kathy Craig, Lisa Keenan, Melanie Bell Hughes, Glenn Cooke, and Donna Gates. 

Allen Bodechon
Photo/Port Saint John