Port of Oakland - Newsroom

OAKLAND, Calif (July 6, 2005) - Each year the Port of Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners elects its top three officers. Tuesday, July 5, 2005, the board elected Commissioner Kenneth S. Katzoff to serve a one-year term as President of the board. Commissioner Anthony A. Batarse, Jr. was elected to serve as First Vice President and board member Darlene Ayers-Johnson will serve as Second Vice President.

Outgoing President Patricia A. Scates nominated the new officers of the board, “It is with an extreme sense of pride and pleasure that I nominate the new slate of officers for fiscal year 2005-2006. I would like to nominate my colleagues Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson for Second Vice President, Commissioner Anthony Batarse for First Vice President and Commissioner Kenneth Katzoff for President of the board.” President Scates thanked the entire board for its support during her term as President, “It has been my pleasure to serve with you this past year. I want to thank you for your respect and trust. I’d also like to thank Executive Director Jerry Bridges and senior staff for seizing opportunities that will strengthen the Port for years to come.”

Board members acknowledged outgoing President Scates for her leadership and dignity. Commissioner Kramer commented, “Pat Scates has provided thoughtful and conscientious leadership for this board and I appreciate the elegant way in which she manifested that leadership.” Commissioner John Protopappas stated, “She led us with style and class through various challenges and devoted significant time to the Port. It has been an honor to serve with her.”

Commissioner Kenneth S. Katzoff, who will replace Patricia Scates as President, thanked the board President and his colleagues for the nomination. “Thank you for your confidence in me to lead the board during this next fiscal year. I hope I can honor the office as you have [President Scates] with the same grace, dignity and intelligence that you have demonstrated,” stated Katzoff upon acceptance of the nomination.

The board voted unanimously for the slate. A resolution will be drawn up for the next board meeting July 19th at which the resolution will be adopted and the gavel handed over to the new President.

The Port of Oakland is governed by a seven-member Board of Port Commissioners. The Board oversees the use of and income from Port properties, stretching from the borders of Emeryville in the north to San Leandro in the south. The commissioners are nominated by the Oakland Mayor and appointed by the City Council. They are residents of the City of Oakland and serve staggered four-year terms without compensation. Their responsibilities are vast and require a great deal of their time, all donated to the Port.

Port Board President nominee Kenneth S. Katzoff is currently a partner in the law firm of Katzoff and Riggs, where he represents real estate developers, contractors, architects and other design and creative professionals. Mr. Katzoff has served as a public official in a variety of positions, including Chair of the Oakland Planning Commission, having assumed Chair responsibilities shortly after joining the board in 2001. He served as Chair of the Oakland Base Reuse Authority (“OBRA”) as Mayor Jerry Brown’s alternate. Mr. Katzoff has also served as a Judge pro tempore and mediator for the Alameda County Courts. He is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Katzoff is an avid sailor and snowboarder and resides in Oakland with his wife Diana, an East Bay Realtor, and their three children.

Board members elected Commissioner Anthony A. Batarse, Jr. to serve as First Vice President. Commissioner Batarse is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd A. Wise Inc., one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in California, with holdings in automobile dealerships and outdoor media. Mr. Batarse was appointed to the Board of Port Commissioners in June 2003. Batarse has been a member of several civic organizations including: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County (Director); Oakland Chamber of Commerce; San Leandro Chamber of Commerce; SF State University Business Advisory Board; and Youth Opportunity Foundation.

Darlene Ayers-Johnson was elected Second Vice President of the Board of Port Commissioners. Darlene Ayers-Johnson, principal of her own consulting firm, also serves as Executive Director of "Friends of Faith" Fancher, a 501(c)3 non--profit bringing breast cancer awareness to the underserved community. The organization was founded by the well-known television newsperson, Faith Fancher, who was a pioneer for female journalists and an untiring activist for women's health. Ms. Ayers-Johnson has also served as executive director of the California State Board of Control, which handles restitution to crime victims and tort claims against the state. Ayers-Johnson formerly served as Chief Deputy Director for the State of California's Department of General Services. She is a second generation Californian who has served in her community on various boards and commissions over the past 25 years. Ms. Ayers-Johnson has been awarded the National Association of Women Business Owners Award, the State of California Department of Vehicles' Woman of the Year Award and has been recognized as a Finalist for the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award.

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the 4th busiest containerport in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the nation with more than 14 million passengers a year; and Jack London Square is Oakland's premier entertainment spot along the waterfront. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland.


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