U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has appointed Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, which advises the secretary on strategies to improve the readiness and resiliency of the U.S. supply chain.

The committee is made up of leaders from commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academia and environmental groups.

Cordero, who has led the Port of Long Beach since 2017, will continue in his role at the Port.

“I thank Secretary Pete Buttigieg for this honor at such a pivotal time for international trade, and as we make significant investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Cordero. “I am grateful to serve with other esteemed leaders and work to improve all areas of the maritime supply chain through investments in infrastructure and innovative technology.”

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal applauded Cordero’s selection. “Mario’s expertise and knowledge make him an excellent choice to advise on issues surrounding the supply chain and maritime industry,” Neal said.

Prior to becoming the Port’s Executive Director, Cordero served on the Federal Maritime Commission from 2011 to 2017 and was FMC Chairman from April 2013 to January 2017. Cordero, an attorney, served as a Long Beach Harbor Commissioner from 2003 to 2011. He holds a law degree from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Long Beach.

The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. As the second-busiest container seaport in the United States, the Port handles trade valued at more than $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million trade-related jobs across the nation, including 575,000 in Southern California.