The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is expected to formally name Duane Kenagy as the port’s interim chief executive officer Wednesday, who joined the port in 2014.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is expected to formally name Duane Kenagy as the port’s interim chief executive officer Wednesday, while it searches for a permanent leader in the wake of Jon Slangerup’s surprise resignation two weeks ago.
Slangerup is leaving in late October after two years on the job to head a Canadian aviation technology company.
Kenagy is the executive in charge of the Long Beach port’s capital programs, overseeing nearly $4.5 billion in construction and improvement projects.
He joined the port in 2014 and has more than 35 years of engineering and design project management experience. He is overseeing the replacement of the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge and the redevelopment of the Middle Harbor Container Terminal, each budgeted at nearly $1.5 billion. Another $1 billion is budgeted for rail improvements to increase the movement of goods via rail.
Prior to joining the port, Kenagy worked for Moffatt & Nichol, a prominent engineering consulting firm that is active in the port sector and was a key player in the Alameda Corridor rail project.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Board of Harbor Commissioners, our tenants and customers, and the talented team here at the Port of Long Beach to continue our strong tradition of service and innovation,” Kenagy said in a statement. “I am fully committed to helping this great organization transition to the new chief executive at the conclusion of the Board’s search.”
Kenagy will not be a candidate for permanent appointment as CEO, the port authority said. His salary is proposed at $275,000 with duties to begin next week.
Slangerup is credited with helping the Port of Long Beach quickly address congestion issues that threatened its business in 2014, especially by putting the port authority in a more active posture regarding operations oversight even though Long Beach is a landlord port.