Calif. forms advisory panel on goods movement
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi has approved the appointment of nine business, government and labor leaders to head up a California state advisory committee on international trade.
The Goods Movement and International Trade Advisory Committee will counsel the state's Commission for Economic Development on trade and goods movement issues.
The Commission for Economic Development, which is chaired by Garamendi, was established by statute in 1971 to provide bipartisan policy advice and recommendations on economic development issues to the executive and legislative leadership of the state. CED commissioners are appointed as needed by the governor.
Garamendi called the advisory committee to provide the CED with expertise regarding goods movement in the state. The committee is charged with addressing issues that could dampen future trade growth in the state, including congestion at ports and on highways and railways, and the environmental impact of goods movement.
Omar Benjamin, executive director for the Port of Oakland and a CED commissioner, will chair the advisory committee.
Other members of the committee named by Garamendi include:
' John Bowe, president, American President Lines.
' Scott Moore, vice president of public affairs, Union Pacific Railroad.
' Alan McCorkle, senior vice president, APM Terminals.
' Paul Lam, chairman, Asia Capital Group.
' Geraldine Knatz, executive director, Port of Los Angeles.
' William Fong, executive vice president, East West Bank.
Garamendi approved positions to represent the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the air cargo-airport industry, but have not yet been filled.