Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup is resigning from his post in order to take a position as chairman and CEO of an aviation technology company, he revealed Sept. 8. His last day at the port is set for Oct. 28; he starts his new job Oct 31.
Slangerup joined the POLB in June 2014 as the replacement for former Executive Director Chris Lytle, who left the port in 2013 – after less than two years in the top job – to accept a similar position at the Port of Oakland.
With his new job, Slangerup returns to his roots in the private sector; prior to his tenure at Long Beach, he spent two decades as a president, CEO and/or director of both public and private companies, ranging from technology startups to a subsidiary of FedEx Corp.
During the final seven years of his 20-year career with FedEx, he was President of FedEx Canada.
“I wish to thank the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the opportunity I’ve had to lead the Port of Long Beach and our exceptional team of managers and professionals,” Slangerup said in a prepared statement announcing his pending departure. “The experience of helping guide the port through our industry’s swiftly changing and often uncharted waters has been both an exciting challenge and a great honor.”
Board of Harbor Commissioners President Lori Ann Guzmán said Slangerup brought “tremendous leadership, creativity and executive experience” to the port.
“His innovative vision and ability to lead in times of change and growth have made a marked difference in the history of our beloved port,” she said. “I and my fellow commissioners wish Jon continued success in his new role.”
An interim CEO has yet to be named, and the port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners has not yet established a timeline regarding its search and hiring a new CEO. But whomever wins the job would be the port’s fifth permanent or interim leader since 2011.
The others were Dick Steinke, who retired in 2011 after 14 years as executive director; Lytle, who left for Oakland in July 2013; Al Moro, who served as interim director from June 2013 to June 2014; and Slangerup, who will now leave after 28 months in the position.
