Local attorney, professor and former Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Mario Cordero was today appointed by the Obama Administration as the Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, a move that recognizes the importance of the Port of Long Beach’s Green Port Policy, which Cordero spearheaded.

The announcement, formally made by the FMC today, follows the resignation of former-Chairman Richard Lidinksky, Jr., who served as chair since September of 2009.

The five-member commission–of which Cordero has been a member of since June 3 of last year–leads the 128-member regulatory agency that oversees the nation’s international ocean transporters.

Following Cordero’s eight-year stint serving on the Board of Harbor Commissioners at the Port of Long Beach, Cordero stated in a press release that he is not only honored by the appointment but looks forward to “continuing to work with my fellow Commissioners and the agency’s remarkable staff to accomplish the Commission’s important responsibility to the Nation: fostering a fair, efficient and reliable international ocean transportation system and to protect the public from unfair and deceptive practices.”

Cordero’s term as chair is effective immediately.