The San Diego City Council has appointed public affairs specialist Sid Voorakkara as the Port of San Diego’s newest commissioner, replacing Commissioner Emeritus Rafael Castellanos, who resigned in January.
Voorakkara was sworn in Feb. 20 to the seven-member board that governs the port by Councilman Kent Lee.
Voorakkara is a senior partner at ArroyoWest, LLC, which offers communications, public affairs, and strategic planning services to the public and private sector. He’s also a commissioner of California’s Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Previously, he was field director at the United Nations Foundation, deputy director for external affairs at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development under Gov. Jerry Brown and a program manager at nonprofit grantmaking organization The California Endowment.
“Sid brings a deep well of knowledge and vast experience to the Board of Port Commissioners,” said Board Chairman Frank Urtasun. “He will hit the ground running and be of great service to the people of California and help us deliver on our promise to all San Diegans.”
