In her new role, Espinoza will help the commissioners on policy matters, develop the board’s agenda, set up trade missions and conferences, organize the board’s administrative and communications activities.
Espinoza started at the city of Long Beach 22 years ago as a special projects assistant for the Department of Economic Development, in June 1998. She then served as the director of scheduling for Mayor Beverly O’Neill from 2000 to 2006, then as an agenda coordinator for the City Manager’s Office from 2006 to 2007.
She joined the Harbor Department in November 2007 as an executive assistant to the board, rising to become a Commission Administrative Officer in June 2013 and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Board in June 2018. Since September, Espinoza has been serving as Acting Chief of Staff to the Board.
“We selected Shana because she has proven herself to be a trusted adviser we’ve come to rely on,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “Her leadership skills and unique experience in working with this Commission will help strengthen our ties with the Harbor Department’s executive team, industry leaders and the community.”