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John M. Holmes Named Director of Operations at the Port of Los Angeles

Posted on: Tuesday, 31 October 2006, 18:00 CST

John M. Holmes, former United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port for the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex, is joining the Port of Los Angeles as Director of Operations. As the senior official in this critical area, Captain Holmes will oversee the operations of the Los Angeles Port Police, the Homeland Security Division, emergency preparedness planning and the Port Pilot service. Captain Holmes will assume his position with the Port of Los Angeles in December.

"John Holmes has an international reputation as a strong, innovative leader and a track record of acting swiftly and decisively in partnership with local agencies to keep the Port safe in the face of hostile, natural or operations-related crises," said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. "We could not ask for a more qualified and credible leader for our security and emergency operations functions. We are very pleased that he is returning to an environment he knows so well -- this time as a member of our senior team here at the Port of Los Angeles."

He most recently served as a principal and Chief Operating Officer of the Marsec Group, a full service security consulting firm specializing in supply chain security, technology and operations. Prior to forming the Marsec Group, Captain Holmes held the position of Vice President and Director of Business Development for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), where he assisted government and commercial customers in the development of technological solutions to homeland security challenges, with emphasis on port, border and military security solutions.

Holmes retired from the United States Coast Guard in 2003 with 27 years service. He retired as Commanding Officer, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection and Captain of the Port for the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex -- the nation's largest and most critical port complex. He is credited with swift and decisive actions at the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach complex in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, and as the driving force in a number of national security initiatives including: the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA); the establishment of Area Maritime Security Committees; and the Sea Marshal Program.

While in the Coast Guard, Holmes also served as Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard Office of Congressional Affairs in Washington, D.C.; was attached to the staff of the Governor of American Samoa and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore; and also served as Delegate and Committee Chairman at the International Maritime Organization in London.

He holds bachelor's degrees in English and Education from Boston College, and a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port and a recipient of two Environmental Protection Agency awards in 2006. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates 259,000 regional jobs and $8.4 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. High priority is placed on responsible growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.

Source: Business Wire

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