Oakland (Special to ZennieReport.com) – Interestingly, the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners chose to announce the Port of Oakland’s second female executive director Kristi McKenney, on Valentine’s Day, 2025. The first was Deborah Flint, who was given the “interim” tag in 2012, and after the Omar Benjamin scandal. What follows is from the Port of Oakland’s press release.
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners just named Kristi McKenney as the Port’s new executive director. The appointment follows the announcement of Executive Director Danny Wan’s retirement on February 28.
The Port Commissioners unanimously approved a three-year contract for McKenney at their February 13th Board meeting.
“I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity to lead during such a transformative time in Port history,” said McKenney. “I look forward to implementing the Port’s 5-year Strategic Plan that will help grow local employment and contracting opportunities and strengthen our economic base.”
McKenney joined the Port as an environmental planner. She has held several positions at the Port, from Assistant Aviation Director to Interim Executive Director. She has been the Port’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since February 2020. McKenney will be the first woman to serve as executive director in the Port of Oakland’s 98-year history.
“We look forward to Ms. McKenney taking the Port’s vision to the next level,” said Port of Oakland Board President Michael Colbruno. “Special thanks to Danny Wan for leaving the Port on a strong and solid path.”
McKenney was instrumental in managing Port operations during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure as COO, she helped bring hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal grants to create a more sustainable Port.
“As a Port veteran, Kristi McKenney will bring solid leadership and management skills to the position,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “She will also bring continuity and stability to Port operations which are essential to helping us build for the next generation.”
McKenney holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from San Jose State University.
Kristi McKenney A Great Nod To Oakland’s Tradition Of Diversity
In selecting Kristi McKenney as the Port’s first female executive director, the Port of Oakland continues a tradition of diversity in it’s executive ranks. In 1995, Chuck Foster became the Port’s first African American executive director. Chuck held the position until 2001, when he hand-picked his successor, Tay Yoshitani, the Port’s first Asian executive director.
Mr. Tay Yoshitani got a giant severance package when he departed the Port in 2004, and gave way to Jerry Bridges, who became the Port of Oakland’s second black executive director, and held that role until 2006, when he took the job of executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. Omar Benjamin (my Skyline High School Class of 1980 Classmate) was the next man hired for the position and the third black boss of the Port. Omar would remain until 2012.
In 2012 Deborah Flint took over as Interim Executive Director of the Port, and because then-executive director Omar Benjamin was removed after spending $4,500 in a Houston Strip Club. Ms. Flint (who was the Port of Oakland’s fourth Black executive director and first black female executive director) resigned in 2015 and for the job of running Los Angeles International Airport, and Chris Lytle (who was the Port’s first white executive director in the 21st Century) was hired to replace her. In 2019, Danny Wan became the second Asian boss of the Port of Oakland behind Tay Yoshitani, who, as noted, served in that role from 2001 to 2004.
Now, we welcome Kristi McKenney as Port of Oakland Executive Director.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland generates vital economic activity, community benefits and environmental innovation, as the Port decarbonizes its operations for a cleaner and greener future. Along with its partners, the Port supports 98,345 jobs in the region and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees Oakland Airport, the Oakland Seaport and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square, and a publicly owned utility. The Port of Oakland is Everyone’s Port! Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland Airport through Facebook and Twitter, or with the Port on LinkedIn, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.