Port Commissions: Corpus Christi, Hueneme, Port Angeles

During their meeting of January 14, Port Corpus Christi Commissioners elected officers for 2014 and witnessed the swearing in of two new commissioners. The Port of Hueneme Board of Commissioners voted in officers for 2014 at their first meeting of January 13. Colleen McAleer was sworn in as a Port Angeles port commissioner at the commission’s January 13 meeting.

Corpus Christi Port Commission Elects Officers, Welcomes New Members

During their meeting of January 14, Port Corpus Christi Commissioners elected officers for 2014 and witnessed the swearing in of two new commissioners.

Judy Hawley was elected port commission chair, replacing Mike Carrell whose term on the port’s governing board had expired after 12 years of service. Ms. Hawley, who has represented San Patricio County on the port commission since 2004, spent four terms in the Texas House of Representatives. 

Commission Vice-Chair Richard Borchard, a former Nueces County commissioner (1981-1994) and judge (1994-2002), is director of client relations at the law firm of Lineberger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson. He has represented Nueces County on the port commission since 2009.  

Secretary Charles Zahn was appointed to the port commission in 2012 by Nueces County.  

First-term commissioners David P. Engel and Richard Ralph Valls Jr., were administered the oath of office by Nueces County Judge Lloyd Neal, who also swore in Commissioner Barbara Canales for a second term. 

Mr. Engel is the principal of Engel and Associates, LLC, and has 40 years of experience in many aspects of business management, including operations, acquisitions, divestitures and financial performance improvement. Mr. Valls was appointed to the port commission by the City of Corpus Christi for a two-year term, replacing Robert Kostelnik, who resigned last November. 

Hueneme: Mary Anne Rooney Elected Harbor Commission President 

The Port of Hueneme Board of Commissioners voted in officers for 2014 at their first meeting of January 13. Senior Commissioner and former five-time President Jess Herrera nominated Commissioner Mary Anne Rooney to take the helm as president. Commissioner Rooney’s nomination received unanimous board approval, making her the first woman to head the harbor commission. 

Elected vice president and secretary, respectively, were Commissioners Herrera and Manuel Lopez. 

Commissioner Jason Hodge received accolades for his service as board president in 2013 and acknowledged all board members for their spirit of cooperation and collaboration, adding, "The board’s main strength is derived from its diversity. I commend my co-commissioners for their service, leadership and vision. Together we pursued a strong agenda around economic growth, job creation, environmental stewardship and community engagement." 

In her inaugural remarks, Commission President Rooney outlined her priorities for 2014: "As we look forward, we strive to continue to strengthen and build upon our already strong relationships with our customers, the neighboring cities of Port Hueneme and Oxnard, the Navy Base, the County, VCTC, and the Board of Supervisors. We will continue to put our breadth of resources to work to assist the business community in increasing opportunities that exist through our unique organization." 

Photo/Port of Hueneme

Port Angeles Swears in New Commissioner Colleen McAleer

Colleen McAleer was sworn in as a Port Angeles port commissioner at the commission’s January 13 meeting. She is the first Port Angeles port staff member to be elected to the commission and the first woman commissioner in the port’s 91-year history.

During her two years on the Port Angeles port staff, Ms. McAleer served as marketing and property manager and then as director of business development. Earlier, as a small business owner, she provided business consulting services and commercial brokerage transactions.

After graduating from Florida Institute of Technology on a full scholarship, Ms. McAleer served 10 years in the U.S. Army as an aviator and military intelligence officer. She flew both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft while stationed in Europe, Asia and North America. She deployed to the Middle East as a platoon leader during Desert Storm.

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