5:00pm | The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will vote Monday to name J. Christopher “Chris” Lytle as the Port of Long Beach’s new Executive Director. Lytle replaces Richard “Dick” Steinke who announced his retirement in April.

According to the Port of Long Beach, “The Harbor Commission announced the decision on Lytle following a closed-door meeting after their regular board meeting on Monday, November 7. If confirmed on November 14, Lytle would succeed Richard D. Steinke, the Port’s 14-year Executive Director, who announced his plan to retire after a brief transition to a new top executive.”

“After an extensive, nationwide search, the Board of Harbor Commissioners is very pleased to recommend the appointment of Chris Lytle as the Port’s new Executive Director,” said Harbor Commission President Susan E. Anderson Wise. “Chris’ extensive public and private experience make him the ideal leader for our Port.  On the private side, he’s operated shipping terminals around the world, and fully understands the unique issues facing public ports in California. He has a great rapport with our customers, and while he understands the industry, he’s also very open to new ideas and innovations.”

Lytle joined the Port in 2006 as Managing Director of Trade Relations and Port Operations, overseeing the Communications, Trade Relations, Security and Maintenance divisions, and was promoted to the Deputy Executive Director in 2008. 
 
Before joining the Port, he served as vice president of west coast operations for French-based shipping line CMA CGM, a major Port of Long Beach customer, also with significant marine and terminal operations at the ports of Oakland and Seattle. Lytle also has held executive positions at P&O Ports North America, Denmark-based APM (Maersk) Terminals and Sea-Land Service, Inc.

Mr. Lytle holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Puget Sound and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University. He served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army and has worked and traveled extensively in his various maritime industry positions to overseas destinations including Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

More to come…