Wilmington native confirmed for seat on Port of LA board

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Wilmington resident Yolanda De La Torre to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners. Her term begins Jan. 17.

De La Torre will finish out Michael Muñoz’s term, which ends in June, and then is expected to be appointed to a full five-year term.

Muñoz’s last meeting was on Thursday, Dec. 5.

De La Torre, nominated by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, brings the five-member board’s local representation to two, the required number set out in Measure HH, which requires two Harbor Area residents — one from San Pedro and one from Wilmington — to serve on the commission. It was overwhelmingly approved by L.A. City voters in the November 2024 election.

She will join San Pedro resident Lee Williams on the panel that oversees the Port of Los Angeles.

Other sitting members are Ed Renwick, Lucille Roybal-Allard, and John Pérez. All live in central and west L.A.

Local representation on the panel has been viewed as increasingly needed as port issues — from development to air quality, traffic and labor matters, and environmental impacts — have risen to the top of area voter concerns.

Those concerns were heightened when elected officials appointed Pérez to take over the seat held by Diane Middleton. A 50-year resident of San Pedro and attorney, and well known by her community, Middleton represented the workforce of the Harbor area.

“It is so critically important to be sure that we have qualified professionals, strong leaders, and people that represent the communities across Los Angeles,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker said at Wednesday’s meeting.

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“But for the Port of L.A., it’s critically important that we have folks that represent the Harbor Area because only if you sleep or drive, or work, or put kids to school in and around the area, you know what potential there is for the Port of Los Angeles, and what harms there come from living in such close proximity to heavy industry.”

McOsker also highlighted Charter Amendment HH.

“As the City continues its urgent response to the windstorm and moves forward on a sweeping recovery plan to rebuild homes, businesses and communities, we must also ensure our Port of Los Angeles remains well positioned to move essential goods for this effort,” Bass said.

For nearly three decades, De La Torre has worked for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, serving as the executive director for Wilmington since 1995, and more recently, as the YMCA’s district representative. This month, she will join YMCA’s Mission Advancement Team as vice president, supporting the MA team in fundraising for 28 YMCAs throughout Los Angeles County.

De La Torre holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human services from Springfield College, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is an active member of the Wilmington Rotary Club and was honored as Woman of the Year by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in both 2019 and 2021.

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“Last year was a record-breaking year for the Port and the entire country relies on it for goods movement,” Bass added. “I look forward to seeing how Yolanda’s local roots and strong relationships within Port communities will support our progress moving forward.”

“Yolanda is only the second commissioner in my memory to be a resident of the city of Wilmington — born and raised in Wilmington — it’s so critically important,” McOsker said.

De La Torre, whose first port meeting tentatively would be Jan. 30, serves as the regional vice president of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. She previously was the regional executive director for Wilmington and Gardena-Carson with the same organization from 2021 to 2023.

City News Service contributed to this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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