8:25pm | The director of security at the Port of Long Beach has retired following a six-year stint in the post, the port announced on Thursday.
Cosmo Perrone “coordinated and managed some of the port’s most significant security advances in its history in response to post-9/11 concerns,” according to a statement from the port.
The port has commenced a national search to replace Perrone.
“He has been a tremendous asset to this organization and will be leaving this port in a far better position than when he arrived,” Port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke said in a statement.
Perrone took port security into the computer age with port-wide domain awareness systems that include surveillance cameras, radar, sonar and other technology, according to the port. He was even recognized as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Security Industry” by Security Magazine.
“I’ve been privileged to work with Port of Long Beach staff and management, and I am grateful for it,” Perrone said in a statement.
The port recently hired former U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Daniel Kane as interim assistant security director.