San Diego City Wire

Newly appointed Port of San Diego president and chief executive officer has pledged to strengthen the port as a "major regional asset."

The Board of Port Commissioners recently announced their pick for the position, Navy veteran Joe Stuyvesant. Stuyvesant's contract is expected to be approved later this month. He'll start work at the Port on Monday, Feb. 1, according to a press release.

Stuyvesant spent three decades in the United States Navy primarily as a naval aviator. He did several tours to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. He was on several aircraft carriers that supported missions in Operation Desert Storm and commander at the Al Asad Air Base Command Group in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Stuyvesant was also a Joint Chiefs of Staff staff officer. He's currently the Navy Region Southwest's executive director. 

Michael Zucchet, vice chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, called Stuyvesant a "great fit."

"Joe's history of calm, thoughtful response developed as a naval aviator and later as a key contributor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more recently as executive director of Navy Region Southwest, have fully prepared him to lead the Port's diverse priorities and partner with our many critical stakeholders," Zucchet said in a release on the Port's website. 

Stuyvesant will head the Port, which has more than 500 employees. The Port spans through five cities encompassing 34 miles of waterfront and includes 14,000 acres of tideland, bay and beaches. He's lived in San Diego for a long time and knows how important the Port is for the economy and environment. He said he's "deeply grateful" for the opportunity.

"I am aware of the great responsibility conferred by your trust to be selected to serve as the next president and CEO," Stuyvesant said in the release. "The Port's superb culture results in a team of employees who are highly productive, resourceful and who have accomplished an impressive list of success in support of the people of California."