Randa Coniglio, who previously served as the Port of San Diego’s first female president and CEO, returned to the leadership role in mid-July after current President and CEO Joe Stuyvesant was placed on administrative.
During closed session on July 14, the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners appointed Coniglio as acting president and CEO “for an undetermined amount of time,” according to port spokeswoman Brianne Page.
Board Chairman Rafael Castellanos did not participate because of a personal commitment, and Board Vice Chair Sandy Naranjo recused herself from participating.
Acting Board Chair Danielle Moore said July 14 that Coniglio would provide continuity of operations and ensure stability for the port, constituents and businesses at this time.
“Our primary focus continues to be on the seamless continuation of our services and the welfare of our employees and stakeholders,” Moore said. “Randa brings a wealth of experience with this organization and a deep understanding of our agency’s mission, which will be instrumental in moving forward.”
When asked why Stuyvesant was placed on administrative leave, Page told Pacific Maritime that the port was unable to share additional information at the time as personnel matters are confidential.
“We will provide any updates and information when appropriate,” she said.
Coniglio handled local commercial investment properties for a Japanese firm for eight years and worked in retail leasing and development for five years before starting her career at the port as senior real estate asset manager in 2000.
Since then, she served various roles at the port, including area real estate manager, director of real estate, assistant vice president – operations, vice president – operations and executive vice president. In 2015, she was promoted to president and CEO of the port and served through 2021.
During her tenure, the port saw the revitalization of Seaport Village, the development of the Portside Pier and the modernization of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, which was completed in June 2020, the opening of the Intercontinental Hotel and the launch of the Blue Economy Incubator.
Stuyvesant was placed on paid leave on July 11 pending an internal investigation, according to local news reports. He has been the port’s president and CEO since February, 2021. Prior to joining the port, Stuyvesant was the executive director of Navy Region Southwest military command in San Diego.
Before that, he served on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator. While in the Navy, Stuyvesant served as a staff officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily and commander, Al Asad Air Base Command Group, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to the port, Stuyvesant has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in finance from the University of San Diego.
The Port of San Diego president and CEO role requires leading more than 500 employees at the port, which is a specially created state district responsible for more than 14,000 acres of tideland, bay and beaches along 34 miles of waterfront across five cities, San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City.