CATHY TANAKA
Director of Human Resources
Cathy Tanaka serves as the Director of Human Resources for the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the United States. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is not supported by City taxes and instead generates its revenues from leasing and shipping service fees.
In this role, Tanaka oversees City employment operations for the Harbor Department’s nearly 1,000 employees.
With more than 28 years of service with the City of Los Angeles, Tanaka began her career as a Management Assistant at Los Angeles World Airports and most recently worked as a Senior Personnel Analyst II in the Classification Division of the Personnel Department. She also previously served as the Harbor Department’s liaison to the Personnel Department.
During her tenure with the City, Tanaka has worked at the Departments of Animal Services, Community Development, Fire, Police, Transportation and the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System.
Tanaka received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in international business and a minor in economics from California State University, Los Angeles, an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Business.