Los Angeles City Council Confirms John A. Pérez as Harbor Commissioner

LOS ANGELES – , 2024 – California State Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez

Sept. 20 joined the five-member Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, following a unanimous vote of approval by the Los Angeles City Council. Pérez was nominated to serve as the newest Harbor Commissioner by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

“Mr. Pérez is a dedicated public servant who brings decades of expertise to this important role,” said Mayor Bass. “I worked with Mr. Pérez as we helped protect Californians and Angelenos from the greatest economic threat to the state since the Great Depression. As a labor organizer, Mr. Pérez ensured that working families received fair, living wages and made sure that concerns of workers were top of mind as we crafted policy.

“He has unwavering passion for bettering our City and I’m confident that he will be a champion for the San Pedro and Wilmington communities and also work to support the Port’s vital function as the number one Port in the country,” Mayor Bass added. “Forty percent of all imports come into the country through the Port complex. Tens of millions of people depend on the Port’s success every day. I look forward to working together to ensure that our Port continues to deliver for L.A. and beyond.”                    

Pérez is currently a Regent for the University of California. Pérez first served on the Board of Regents as an ex officio member during his tenure as Speaker of the Assembly. Then in 2014, he was appointed to the Board of Regents by former California Gov. Jerry Brown. In 2024 he was re-appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. From 2019-2021, he served as board chair, and currently heads the Regents’ Health Services Committee.

Pérez was elected to the California Assembly in November 2008, representing Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities, and subsequently served as Assembly Speaker from 2010-2014. In that leadership position, he was responsible for 1,300 employees and a $156 million budget. During his service in the Assembly, Pérez has been widely recognized for his efforts authoring and championing legislation focused on job growth and economic development. Notably, Pérez authored the legislation that created the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Pérez was a labor leader and served on the Board of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, California League of Conservation Voters, and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. He is a longtime advocate of the LGBTQ community and previously served on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners oversees the management and operation of the Port of Los Angeles. Commissioners are volunteers who are appointed by the Mayor of Los Angeles and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council.