12:15pm | Susan E. Anderson Wise was elected president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday by fellow commissioners as part of the commission’s annual board officers selection.

Wise, who was appointed to the Harbor Commission in 2008, succeeds Commissioner Nick Sramek, who has served two terms as president. The commission president serves as chair of the commission, running board meetings and often representing the Port of Long Beach to the public and shipping industry.

Commissioner Thomas Fields, who was appointed the board in 2009, was selected as vice president. A few years ago, Fields chaired the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency through some turbulent times when there was a debate whether the City Council should take over as the RDA Board. Fields is also a fixture in downtown Long Beach and as a public relations professional has been involved as a spokesman for several high-profile downtown projects.

Mike Walter, who has served on the commission since 2005, was named secretary. Sramek, appointed to the commission in 2007, will serve as vice secretary. All terms start July 1.

The five-member Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is the governing body of the port, which is the Harbor Department of the city of Long Beach. The commissioners set the financial and policy direction for the port.

The fifth board seat became vacant last month when Mario Cordero resigned to serve in Washington, D.C. on the Federal Maritime Commission.