For Immediate Release
February 25, 2002

OAKLAND, Calif. (February 25, 2002) - The Port of Oakland announces the appointment of Bernida Reagan as Director of Social Responsibility. Ms. Reagan officially begins her new role today, Monday, February 25, 2002.

"The Port of Oakland is creating the Division of Social Responsibility to provide solid employment opportunities to the community," said Port Executive Director Tay Yoshitani. "Bernida Reagan's leadership in this newly created position will help us all to enhance and develop this vital service," added Yoshitani.

Bernida Reagan was most recently the Executive Director of the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), a non-profit legal services office founded by students at Boalt Hall School of Law in 1988. EBCLC provides free legal services to low-income clients in the areas of housing, public benefits, HIV-related law and economic development.

Port Board President Phil Tagami stated, "Bernida Reagan comes to the Port with an impressive track record as an attorney and leader in the legal services arena. She has the right kind of experience that will make her highly effective as the Port's Director of Social Responsibility."

The Port of Oakland's Division of Social Responsibility will include the Employment Resources Development Program, handle contract compliance and enhance small business development.

"I am delighted to be taking on this new and significant role at the Port of Oakland," said Division of Social Responsibility Director Bernida Reagan. "Our goal is to consolidate and strengthen port programs that serve local economic development. We will then build on that foundation to provide greater access to jobs and business opportunities for the local community," stated Reagan.

Short Biography
Bernida Reagan is the newly appointed Director of the Port of Oakland's Division of Social Responsibility as of February 25, 2002. Before her position at the Port, Ms. Reagan was most recently the Executive Director of the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), a non-profit legal service office founded by students at Boalt Hall School of Law in 1988. EBCLC provides free legal services to low-income clients in the areas of housing, public benefits, HIV-related law and economic development.

Ms. Reagan graduated from UCLA School of Law in 1979 and worked with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Public Counsel, the pro bono project of the Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Bar Associations. She serves on the board of the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, Urban Habitat, and CitiCentre Dance Theatre.

Ms. Reagan is a member of the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame (1996) and received the State Bar of California Legal Services Achievement Award for Northern California in 1996. She is a co-recipient of the 2002 William Pincus Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cause of Clinical Legal Education and the Achievement of Justice. Additionally in 2002, Bernida Reagan was nominated as one of the Top Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area by City Flight Newsmagazine. She has practiced public interest law for 20 years.

Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Media/Public Relations Manager
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com

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