At least for the time being, the Port of Los Angeles will be functioning with four port commissioners instead of five after Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission Vice President Jerilyn López Mendoza officially stepped down from her post on Wednesday.
López Mendoza, who has served on the port governing board since being appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, announced her plans to step down in late June.
While her official six-year term ran through 2011, López Mendoza said she left early to take a position as the California Regional Manager for ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. She is also currently the interim director at the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.
During her tenure on the port commission, López Mendoza has been a key voice in the development of port environmental policies such as the Clean Air Action Plan and the Clean Trucks Program.
Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz said Wednesday that López Mendoza "has had an enormous impact at the Port of Los Angeles."
Prior to joining the port commission, López Mendoza was the policy director of the Environmental Justice Project Office of Environmental Defense Fund in Los Angeles for nine years. Previously, she was the chair of the Steering Committee of the Los Angeles International Airport Coalition for Economic, Environmental and Educational Justice.
Port and city officials have not publicly detailed any immediate plans to fill the vacant commission seat. Commission appointments can take up to several months while City Hall vets candidates and the Los Angeles City Council completes the appointment process.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
