The Association of Pacific Ports has announced that its new president will be Bobby Olvera Jr., who serves as international vice president (mainland) of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and vice president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Olvera Jr. is succeeding Kimberlyn King-Hinds from the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Northern Mariana Islands.
“I look forward to working with APP members in the coming year,” he said. He added that “collaboration and communication between us all are essential as we work to further the best interests of our communities and constituents.”
Olvera brings to his new role experience as a harbor commissioner and a fifth-generation longshoreman with a 30-year history in the ILWU. Before becoming ILWU international vice president in 2018, Olvera served in various roles at ILWU Local 13 in Southern California. He has been on Long Beach’s harbor commission since May 2020.
“Now more than ever, the eyes of the world are upon ports — whether it be for investment in infrastructure, modernization initiatives, new technologies, or issues such as offshore wind, hydrogen use, and electrification,” Olvera said in his remarks as incoming president July 28.
“It’s important for ports to be sharing best practices and learning from each other as well as finding new opportunities that will drive business,” he remarked. “When business is successful, our communities and port authorities are successful along with them. The APP is driving that narrative for ports within the Pacific Basin.”
