For Immediate Release
July 11, 2001

Three New Top Officers for Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners
Port Commissioners held the annual election to select the Board's President, and First and Second Vice Presidents

Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners elected its top three officers at its bi-weekly meeting, Tuesday, July 10th. The board announced that Commissioner Phillip H. Tagami will serve a one-year term as President. Tagami currently serves on the board as the Second Vice President. Commissioner Frank Kiang was elected to serve as First Vice President. Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson will serve as Second Vice President.

Commissioner Phillip H. Tagami will replace David Kramer as President of the Board of Port Commissioners. Tagami is the managing partner of California Commercial Investments and California Capital Group. Commissioner Tagami is responsible for the renovation of the Rotunda building, as well as the development of the Hilton Garden Hotel in Downtown Oakland and the Coliseum Entry Gates Project. Over the last 12 years, Phil Tagami has actively served in numerous civic and government organizations, including the Oakland Planning Commission, the Environmental Affairs Commission, and the Oakland Landmarks Advisory Board. Commissioner Tagami is also a member of the Board of Directors of the East Bay Conservation Corps.

"This is a great honor to be elected President of the Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners," said Commissioner Phillip Tagami. "I am delighted to serve with such dedicated and notable members of our community. We are all grateful to past board President David Kramer for leading the port through a tremendous year of success." Tagami added, "Many are called, but few serve. David Kramer has distinguished himself during his 10 years with the port and surely is the dean of this board."

Board members elected Commissioner Frank Kiang to serve as First Vice President. Commissioner Kiang is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Bank and its holding company, Met Financial Corporation. In addition, Frank Kiang serves on the boards of the Alameda County Medical Center Authority, the California Export Finance Office, California Independent Bankers and the Economic Development Alliance for Business of Alameda County.

Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners - New Officers
Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson will now serve as the board's Second Vice President. Commissioner Ayers-Johnson is a principal of her own firm Ayers-Johnson and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in government, community and public relations. She recently served as executive director of the State Board of Control. Commissioner Ayers-Johnson formerly served as Chief Deputy Director for the State of California's Department of General Services. In addition, Ms. Ayers-Johnson has been the recipient of many awards as well as served on various boards and commissions over the past 30 years, including the Commission on the Status of Women, Golden Gate University Advisory Board and the Oakland Museum Board.

Contact:
Eve Grossman-Bukowski
Communications Director
(510) 627-1635
egrossma@portoakland.com

The Port & You | Maritime | Airport | Real Estate | Newsroom
Job Center | Doing Business | Community | Environment | Contact Us