Harbor Commission appoints Commercial Services, Strategic Advocacy leader

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved the appointments of managing directors for the Port of Long Beach’s Commercial Services and Strategic Advocacy bureaus.

Casey Hehr, the Port’s Security Division director, will take up the leadership role for the Commercial Services Bureau, comprising the Business Development, Tenant Services, Information Management and Security divisions.

In a newly created position, Eleanor Torres, the Port’s Government Relations director, will head the Strategic Advocacy Bureau – the Government Relations and Communications and Community Relations divisions. The organizational change will bring together the functions and activities of government advocacy, communications with the public and workforce development, telling the story of one of North America’s busiest seaports within a strategic framework.

“The goods movement industry is in an era of dynamic change as seaports around the world find more efficient ways to move cargo, more closely engage with communities we serve and reduce operational impacts on the environment,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Casey and Eleanor understand the importance of these goals to the Port of Long Beach and the collaboration between internal and external stakeholders that’s needed for us to accomplish our organizational objectives.”

“A big part of this business is relationships, and Casey and Eleanor are experienced directors here who know the needs of our labor, government and industry partners,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “We look forward to their contributions to the Port of Choice as we continue to be a leader in sustainable development and operational excellence.”

Hehr joined the Port of Long Beach in October 2016 as assistant director of the Security Services Division. He was named director in August 2018. Prior to his position at the Port, Hehr served with the U.S. Coast Guard for more than 20 years, retiring as the Chief of Operations and Response for the Los Angeles-Long Beach Sector. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and a master’s degree in Business Administration at the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Both Hehr and Torres will report to Chief Operating Officer Dr. Noel Hacegaba.

Torres has been the Port’s Government Relations Division director since December 2019. Before then, she worked for 12 years at the Orange County Water District, where she was Director of Public Affairs. Prior to the water district, she spent 10 years working for the California Legislature, including serving as district director for then-Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer. Torres earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College in Massachusetts.