Oakland Mayor Jean Quan with newly-appointed Port Commissioner Earl S. Hamlin

Oakland, Calif.—May 18, 2012 – The Port of Oakland welcomes its newest Port Commissioner, Earl S. Hamlin, who was nominated by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan on April 6, 2012 and unanimously confirmed by the Oakland City Council on Tuesday, May 15. Commissioner Hamlin will serve through July 10, 2013 filling the seat previously held by Commissioner Michael Lighty. Hamlin’s first Port Board meeting was Thursday, May 17, 2012.

On behalf of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, President Pamela Calloway said, ”We extend a very warm welcome to Commissioner Hamlin whose 30 years of broad experience and financial expertise will add real value to this organization.”

President Calloway also recognized former Port Commissioner Lighty, “We thank Commissioner Lighty for his service on this Board; over the past few years his efforts have significantly benefitted our Port and our community.”

Commissioner Earl S. Hamlin has more than 30 years of experience in finance and economic development. He chaired the Alameda County Planning Commission for twelve years, where he was named a State of California Planning Commissioner of the Year in 2001. He served as treasurer for the Chabot Space & Science Center for six years and has served on several other commissions and committees including the Alameda County Economic Development Advisory Board and, currently, the Community Advisory Working Group to the Alameda County Transportation Authority. He received his A.B. in 1961 from Oberlin College, followed by his J.D. in 1964 and M.B.A. in 1968—both from the University of California, Berkeley.

Commissioner Hamlin began his career with Hambrecht & Quist as a financial analyst and became an investment banker for clients such as Dreyers Ice Cream, Harper Robinson (maritime logistics), Fair Isaacs (credit scoring) and U.S. Leasing (equipment leasing). He has served as director of seven companies throughout his career, the largest of which had revenues of $107 million.

Port Executive Director Omar R. Benjamin remarked, “Commissioner Hamlin’s extensive background in business and his history of leadership service will be a wonderful contribution to our Port and the community as we move forward with our strategic plan goals over the next year.”

Commissioner Hamlin stated, " It is a privilege to serve on the Port Board of Commissioners. I thank Mayor Quan and the Oakland City Council for this opportunity and I look forward to serving our community in this new role."

About the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners
The Port of Oakland is governed by a seven-member Board of Port Commissioners. The Board oversees fiscal, environmental and safety policies which cover the approximately 16,000 acres of Port property that stretches from the Emeryville border in the north to the San Leandro border in the south. Port Commissioners are residents of the City of Oakland and serve four-year terms without compensation. Their responsibilities are vast and require a great deal of their time, all donated to the success of the Port and the region.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports nearly 70,000 jobs in the region and over 800,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and at portofoakland.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Isaac Kos-Read
Director of External Affairs
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1565
[email protected]