MICHAEL DiBERNARDO
Deputy Executive Director, Marketing and Customer Relations
Michael DiBernardo is the Deputy Executive Director of Marketing and Customer Relations at the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s leading container port. In this role, he oversees the Port’s Cargo Marketing, Cargo and Industrial Real Estate, Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate, Environmental Management, Planning and Strategy, and Wharfinger divisions.
Appointed in January 2015, DiBernardo previously served as Director of Business Development, where he was responsible for the direction and management of the Port’s comprehensive sales, marketing and promotional program. Under his leadership, the Port’s marketing team provides marketing intelligence, promotion of the Port, technological assessments, and analysis of trade data that affects the Port’s future competitive position.
DiBernardo previously served as the Port’s Assistant Director of Marketing from 2003 to 2005, where he worked cooperatively with steamship lines and rail and terminal operators to promote Port facilities to key customers.
In addition to his marketing background, DiBernardo also served as the Port’s Director of Planning from February 2005 through January 2007, where he managed the Port’s land use, facility-site, maritime and trade research activities, determined cargo forecast data and evaluated socioeconomic impact analyses.
With almost 40 years in the maritime industry, DiBernardo’s career with the Port of Los Angeles began as a student worker in the late 1970s and later as a draftsman in the Port’s engineering division in the early 1980s.
DiBernardo rejoined the Port as a Marketing Manager in November 2002, after spending 19 years with APL, where he served in various management positions in marketing, operations, customer service, transportation and logistics. During his last five years with APL, DiBernardo was Director of Logistics in the Pacific Southwest Region where he successfully worked with APL customers and the terminal operators in moving containers expeditiously through the terminals.
His expertise encompasses cargo logistics, cargo operations, transportation, intermodal, customer service, port-related real estate, marketing, planning and labor relations.
DiBernardo holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a certificate in the Executive Management Program from UCLA.