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Board History

A former governor of California, the owner of a major department store, a prominent attorney, a well-known pharmacist and the proprietor of a busy downtown tobacco shop – their names are woven into the fabric of Oakland history: Dr. George Pardee, H.C. Capwell, Roscoe Jones, Robert Leet and Ben Pendleton.

In 1927 they were celebrated on the front page of the Oakland Tribune as "The Men for the Big Job." They had been entrusted with the unpaid duty of stewarding the city's waterfront as the first members of the new Oakland Board of Port Commissioners.

Two years earlier, under the jurisdiction of a politically divided city council, the municipal harbor had cost Oakland taxpayers $400,000 in a string of annual losses. One year after the appointment of the new independent Board of Port Commissioners, the Port of Oakland could pay its bills from its own earnings—and would remain self-sustaining from then on.

The seven Oakland Port Commissioners, who must be residents of the city, serve four-year staggered terms without compensation. The mayor nominates members, and the city council confirms their appointments.

Port Commissioners exercise exclusive control over the use of – and income from – properties within a 16,645-acre swatch of San Francisco Bay and Oakland Estuary shoreline that stretches from the borders of Emeryville in the north to San Leandro in the south.

The Port of Oakland area includes 665 acres of marine terminals; the 2,500-acre Oakland International Airport, 569 acres of commercial, industrial and recreational land under lease or available for lease or sale and 9,700 acres that are presently under water.

As in 1927, members of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners are achievers, opinion-shapers and decision-makers. Successful in their professions and actively involved in the betterment of their community, they represent the community's diverse spectrum.

Arabella Martinez
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Commissioner
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Joan H. Story
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Commissioner
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Cestra "Ces" Butner
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Commissioner
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    Press Releases
    Thumbnail of Port of Oakland April container volume climbs second month in a row
    Port of Oakland April container volume climbs second month in a row
    May 26th, 2023
    Oakland, Calif. – May 26, 2023: The Port of Oakland’s total container volume is picking up compared to last month. This marks the second month in a row that Oakland’s cargo... READ MORE
    Thumbnail of Summer travel kicks off at OAK with 11 destinations added
    Summer travel kicks off at OAK with 11 destinations added
    May 23rd, 2023
    Oakland, Calif. – May 23, 2023: Oakland International Airport will be busy throughout Memorial Day holiday travel period. Approximately 130,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport for the... READ MORE
    Thumbnail of Port of Oakland makes major strides toward green future
    Port of Oakland makes major strides toward green future
    May 18th, 2023
    Oakland, Calif. – May 18, 2023: The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved an ordinance that will make huge strides in reducing emissions from cargo handling equipment at TraPac, a key marine... READ MORE
    Thumbnail of Port of Oakland, Japanese officials and CalSTA advance green seaport initiatives
    Port of Oakland, Japanese officials and CalSTA advance green seaport initiatives
    May 5th, 2023
    Oakland, Calif. – May 5, 2023: A delegation of Japanese Ministry officials and representatives from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) met with the Port of Oakland this week to discuss... READ MORE