PORT OF LOS ANGELES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GENE SEROKA APPOINTED TO NATIONAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON — Oct. 3, 2023 — The Office of the United States Trade Representative has named Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka to its Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC), a group tasked with providing policy advice on trade, investment and development issues that significantly impact U.S. state and local governments.
The Committee is comprised of experts in general trade, investment and development issues. Seroka is among 10 new appointees to the Committee, who join five other members already serving on the panel.
“This highly qualified group of stakeholders and elected officials represent diverse backgrounds, interests, and priorities and I congratulate them on joining this important committee,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “The IGPAC is a critical link that ensures USTR’s work is responsive to needs of all people in the United States.”
Besides Seroka, the newly appointed representatives are:
• Sam Cho, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
• Dr. James Collard, Director of Planning and Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
• Emily Desai, Deputy Director of International Affairs and Trade, California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
• Eric Esoda, President and CEO, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
• Yusuf Hakeem, Tennessee State House Representative
• Rory Hoskins, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois
• Mike Matson, Mayor of Davenport, Iowa
• Laurence Reszetar, Director of International Business Strategy, Minnesota Trade Office
• Daphnee Sainvil, Division Manager, Government Affairs and Economic Development, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Dr. James Collard, Director of Planning and Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
• Emily Desai, Deputy Director of International Affairs and Trade, California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
• Eric Esoda, President and CEO, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
• Yusuf Hakeem, Tennessee State House Representative
• Rory Hoskins, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois
• Mike Matson, Mayor of Davenport, Iowa
• Laurence Reszetar, Director of International Business Strategy, Minnesota Trade Office
• Daphnee Sainvil, Division Manager, Government Affairs and Economic Development, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Read their backgrounds here.
Seroka has served as the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles since 2014, a period in which the Port has experienced a series of historic cargo growth and has led the maritime industry on sustainability initiatives. He received the esteemed Stanley T. Olafson Award from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in 2023, recognizing his work in the world trade industry and oversight of the Port. The Containerization & Intermodal Institute named Seroka the 2021 recipient of the Connie Award, one the most coveted honors in the maritime industry.
While serving as Executive Director, Seroka has been appointed to serve on four other federal committees to enhance the speed and efficiency of cargo movement and supply chain optimization, including the U.S. Department of Commerce Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness, U.S. Maritime Administration Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee, Federal Maritime Commission Supply Chain Innovation Team and U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation’s former Port Performance Freight Statistics Working Group. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the California Association of Port Authorities, American Association of Port Authorities and Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. Seroka also serves on the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint Powers Authority Governing Board.