The port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners voted Gold to the
post at its July 1 meeting. He’s set to replace Heather Morris, who retired
after heading the department for over eight years.
“I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding staff at the
Port of Long Beach,” Gold said. “As a Long Beach resident, I understand the
importance of the port to the local, regional and national economies.”
Gold has over 16 years of experience in the public affairs
and legislative fields. Before joining the port, he was public affairs manager
for the Orange County Sanitation District, overseeing the communications,
outreach and legislative programs for the third-largest wastewater treatment
agency west of the Mississippi River.
Earlier in his career, he worked with the League of
California Cities serving Sacramento, Los Angeles and Orange County.
As communication director, Gold will supervise a 16-person
communications and community relations team and direct a budget of more than
$4.5 million annually, and will oversee media relations, crisis communications
and community and educational outreach efforts.
He’ll also direct the production of community and industry
newsletters and other publications, produce video programming, develop
international and local advertising and create strategies to promote the
advancement of the port.
Gold, a Los Angeles native, holds a master’s degree in Urban
& Regional Planning from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree
in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.
