The Port of Los Angeles has appointed Jeffrey Strafford as chief financial officer, and Artie Mandel as director of government affairs.
Strafford will oversee a wide range of the port’s financial affairs, including the accounting, debt and financial analysis, and financial planning and analysis divisions.
A longtime city employee, Strafford had served as interim CFO since May 2024. Prior to that, he worked as director of financial planning and analysis, where he administered the port’s $2.6 billion budget.
Strafford succeeds Marla Bleavins, who took an executive position at Los Angeles World Airports, another agency of the city of Los Angeles.
Strafford reports to Deputy Executive Director of Finance and Administration Erica M. Calhoun.
Also, Artie Mandel has been promoted to the port’s director of government affairs.
Mandel will oversee the port’s collaborative efforts with governmental entities at the local, regional, state and federal levels. His duties will involve advocacy, legislative coordination, grant funding identification and coalition building, among other responsibilities.
Mandel most recently served as the port’s director of strategic initiatives. In his new position, he will continue to report to Avin Sharma, the senior director of workforce and government affairs.
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