Elizabeth Blanchard has been elected chair of the Port of Stockton’s Board of Commissioners, becoming the first female chair in the seven-member board’s history.
“I am pleased to accept this appointment,” Blanchard said. “I have an extensive working knowledge and understanding of the Port’s vital role in the economics of our region and will work diligently to serve the diverse stakeholders, community and business.”
Blanchard, who holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of the Pacific, is a retired San Joaquin Delta College psychology teacher and a former member of the San Joaquin County Planning Commission.
She first became a commissioner in 2008 and was reappointed to another four-year term by the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors in January 2012. She’s one of three commissioners appointed by the Supervisors; the other four are appointed by the Stockton City Council.
Blanchard began her one-year term as commission chair April 16. During the same meeting, commissioner Stephen Griffen, a longshoreman and local business owner, was elected the board’s vice-chair.
