ARTIE MANDEL
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Artie Mandel is the Director of Strategic Initiatives with the Port of Los Angeles’ Labor Relations and Government Affairs team, where he plans and executes the Port’s priority federal, state and local advocacy initiatives. Mandel focuses on the Port’s most challenging legislative and regulatory priorities, working with stakeholders and building coalitions to influence the Executive Branch, Congress, the State Legislature and state agencies, and other policymakers. His priority areas of focus include sustainability and climate change, infrastructure investments, supply chain resilience, and international trade.
Prior to joining the Port, Mandel served as Chief of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, where he oversaw federal, state and local government affairs and advocacy for the nation’s second largest city. In that role, he worked with City Departments and the City Council to develop and execute the City’s legislative program. These efforts secured over $1 billion in state homelessness assistance and housing grants for Los Angeles, legislation to grant the City CEQA exemptions for permanent supportive housing and temporary shelters, legislation enacting the authority for permanent Slow Streets programs, $30 million in Congressional earmarks, and hundreds of millions in federal and state grants for youth development programs, rental assistance and tenant support, water and electric utility bill relief for LADWP ratepayers, and infrastructure investments.
Previously, he served for 10 years on Capitol Hill as Senior Policy Advisor for United State Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Legislative Director for Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), where he focused on tax, international trade and affordable housing policy.
Originally from New Jersey, Mandel earned a degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland.