The Board of Commissioners for the San Diego Unified Port District is expected to appoint Ms. Randa Coniglio as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at its June 11 Board meeting. Coniglio was selected as the top candidate after a rigorous nation-wide executive search that began last December.

Coniglio currently serves as the Port’s Executive Vice President of Operations over the departments of Real Estate, Maritime, Environmental and Land Use Management, Strategy and Business Development, Government and Community Relations, and Marketing and Communications. Coniglio was hired in 2000 by the Port District after a 13-year private sector career in real estate development and real estate portfolio management. During her tenure at the Port, she has been promoted six times, having started in the Real Estate Department as a Senior Asset Manager.

“Randa is a focused, diligent and highly creative leader who consistently delivers strong outcomes,” explained Port Chairman Dan Malcolm. “This, combined with her track record in gaining the trust of stakeholders, achieving consensus and maintaining long-term, mutually beneficial relationships truly set her apart as the best candidate for this position.”

Port staff’s accomplishments under Coniglio’s leadership are extensive with highlights that include entitling the 500-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan in 2012; successfully obtaining a unanimous approval vote from the California Coastal Commission for a $700 million San Diego Convention Center expansion; facilitating the opening of The Headquarters shopping facility, which transformed the old San Diego Police Headquarters into a bustling retail center; and securing a 25-year lease renewal to Dole Fresh Fruit. She has been a driving force on the executive team that turned around a budget deficit in FY 2011-2012 and delivered a $12 million surplus in FY 2013-2014.

Coniglio is expected to assume her duties as President and CEO on June 12. The move would make her the first woman CEO in the Port’s 52-year history.

“I am so honored to have been selected as the Port of San Diego’s next President and CEO,” said Coniglio. “We have such great momentum right now on a variety of fronts. I am very fortunate to have this opportunity at a time when there is so much positive energy around the Port’s projects and initiatives.”

Some of the Port’s more predominate projects include starting construction on the Chula Vista Bayfront project, examining the redevelopment viability of Harbor Island once the rental car agencies relocate to the consolidated facility on Pacific Highway, exploring opportunities for the Pond 20 site, and continuing the world-class improvements along San Diego’s North Embarcadero with the opening of two new hotels in the coming years.

The Port is also moving forward with modernizing Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to improve operations and capacity, and is studying the optimization of the National City Marine Terminal to determine ideal maritime and commercial compatibilities. Work will also continue on expanding cruise business at the Port.

Also in the works is the Port’s Integrated Planning initiative, the agency’s 50-year long-range visioning plan that examines how the Port, San Diego Bay and the tidelands affect the entire region, including land and water uses and critical upland links.

“The Port of San Diego’s opportunities are vast,” continued Coniglio. “In order to seize on these, we must focus clearly, be nimble and continue to work collaboratively with our stakeholders. I’m excited to lead that charge.”

John Bolduc, who has been the Port’s acting CEO since July 2014, will continue to serve on the executive leadership team.

“Chief Bolduc has done a truly remarkable job guiding this organization over the past year,” continued Chairman Malcolm. “He sharpened the agency’s focus during a time of great transition and continued moving key projects forward. We could not be more grateful for his work and his continued dedication to the executive leadership group and the Port of San Diego.”

1. “I fully support the Board of Port Commissioner’s decision to promote Randa Coniglio to the position of President and CEO,” said Bolduc. “Having worked with Randa for the last five years, I know her to be a leader with impeccable integrity, personal skill, and intelligence. She will be a great choice for this important position.”