Tuesday, October 12, 2010

San Diego Port Authority Names Interim Top Exec

Commissioners have appointed Wayne Darbeau as interim president and CEO of the San Diego Unified Port District, filling a seat vacated in September by Charles Wurster.

Darbeau, the vice president of administration for the port authority, was sworn in during the Oct. 5 meeting of the seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners and will serve in the role during a nationwide search for a permanent candidate.

During his 12 years at the port authority, Darbeau, 57, has served in several management positions, including both administrator and senior director.

Darbeau will oversee the 600-plus member staff of the port authority, which manages the Port of San Diego and the public lands along San Diego Bay. The port authority manages two primary cargo facilities, a cruise terminal and more than 400 leases with various port-property tenants. Last year, the port reported revenues of $134 million.
Former port authority president and CEO Wurster resigned abruptly and without explanation on Sept. 24. The board later said the departure was a mutual decision between the commission and Wurster.