The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on June 7 announced the appointment of Al Moro, chief harbor engineer, as the Port of Long Beach’s interim executive director, replacing Chris Lytle who has been named chief executive of the Port of Oakland. A few days later, the commissioners selected Dr. Noel Hacegaba, the board’s executive officer, to be the port’s interim deputy executive director. Both appointments will go into effect following a formal vote on June 17.

Mr. Moro, who said he would not be a candidate for the permanent position, joined the port in 1997 as a civil engineer. As chief harbor engineer, Mr. Moro oversaw all administrative and technical activities for the port’s four engineering divisions, including construction management. He supervised 135 engineers, surveyors, technicians and support staff, and managed the port’s multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program, including the replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge.

Mr. Moro is active with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the AAPA Facilities Engineering Committee and the Western Dredging Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from UCLA and an MBA from Cal State Los Angeles.

Dr. Hacegaba has been the harbor board executive officer since 2010, managing the day-to-day functions of the harbor commission. Previously, he worked with Republic Services, the nation's second-largest environmental services company. Earlier, he served as assistant chief of staff for the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office. 

Dr. Hacegaba is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned BA and MA degrees in economics, a BS in business administration and an MPL in urban planning. He holds a doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne, where he continues to serve on the faculty of the school's College of Business and Public Management.