The Pacific Council is excited to host an exclusive event with Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles, in conversation with Pacific Council Board Director, Maria Salinas, President and CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing the Port of Los Angeles, how tariffs are impacting global trade and supply chain resilience, and the Port’s strategic vision to minimize damage to Los Angeles and Southern California. 

This intimate conversation will bring together leaders from key Los Angeles sectors for a candid discussion with one of LA’s foremost voices on international trade. As the busiest container port in North America and a major gateway for international commerce, the Port of Los Angeles plays an essential role in the economic health of California, the region, and the country. During this timely gathering, Mr. Seroka will offer firsthand insights into the challenges currently facing the Port, including the far-reaching impacts of tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and infrastructure constraints. 

We will also discuss the Port’s strategic vision for strengthening operational resilience and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Southern California’s trade and logistics ecosystem.

This event is for Pacific Council Sustaining Members. Individuals at the Benefactor Level and above will have priority. Seating is limited.

To RSVP please email President@Pacificcouncil.org

Guest Speaker

Gene Seroka is the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, which has experienced a series of historic, record-breaking performances since his appointment in 2014. Seroka, who interacts with a wide range of stakeholders, including Port customers around the globe, industry partners, elected and appointed officials, business leaders, community organizations and local residents, has distinguished himself as a leader throughout his illustrious career in shipping, global logistics and executive management. As chief of America’s top port, he is responsible for managing a $2.6 billion budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volume and promoting innovative, sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy.

Seroka continues to advocate for a national export policy and data-sharing among ports globally. He has been appointed to serve on five federal committees on supply chain optimization and currently serves as Vice President for North America of the International Association of Ports and Harbors and on the Boards of Directors for the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He is chairman of the executive board of the USC Global Supply Chain Institute and serves on the Northwestern University Transportation Center Business Advisory Council.

Seroka 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 leadership of the nation’s busiest container port. The Containerization & Intermodal Institute named Seroka the 2021 recipient of the Connie Award, one the most coveted honors in the maritime industry. Lloyd’s List has recognized Seroka as the preeminent source on the supply chain, which earned him a spot in the 2021 Top 100 most influential people in shipping. Also in 2021, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership honored Seroka with its Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of leadership and accomplishments in the supply chain, logistics and maritime industry.

In 2023, the Asian American Architects/Engineers Association honored Seroka with its President Award. Seroka has been named one of the most influential people in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal and featured on the LA500 list each year since 2016. Prior to joining the Port, Seroka held several key positions—both nationally and internationally—in sales and management for American President Lines (APL) Limited. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of New Orleans.

Guest Speaker

Maria S. Salinas is the President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the largest business association in Los Angeles County, representing member companies and serving the interests of more than 235,000 businesses across the Los Angeles region. Ms. Salinas took the helm of the organization in August of 2018 and became the first woman and Latina to lead the Chamber in its 136-year history. An accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, and a determined community leader, Ms. Salinas’s business acumen and financial expertise provide her with the right experience to lead the L.A. Area Chamber.

Ms. Salinas, a steward of the Chamber’s new vision, “A Thriving Region for All,” has re-imagined the role of the Chamber. The Chamber looks to the future with a vision to build an inclusive economy and lead in three pillar areas of focus: advocacy work, global engagement, and community collaboration for economic growth and mobility. The Los Angeles region, which is the 14th largest economy in the world, and the Chamber membership represents a broad spectrum of industries, small businesses, corporations, academic institutions, and nonprofits, which are all examples that the Los Angeles economy is diverse, dynamic, and that business is a force for good.

Ms. Salinas was an appointee to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Commission on the Future of Work and named to his Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was appointed to the US Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100, a distinction reserved for the top 100 Chambers across the country. She represents the Los Angeles business community in state-wide policy initiatives with the Coalition of Regional Economic Association Leaders (R.E.A.L.), she is a member of the Board of Directors of Mobility 21, a regional transportation effort, and an appointee of Mayor Karen Bass to the Small Business Cabinet. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Music Center and Pacific Council for International Policy, among others.