Port People: Hueneme, Long Beach

Hueneme’s Kristin Decas Named Top Port Director of the Year for 2017 by the International Association of Top Professionals

The International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), a self-described "international boutique networking organization, who handpicks the world’s finest, most prestigious top professionals from different industries," has named Kristin Decas, "Top Port Director of the Year" in recognition of "her outstanding leadership and commitment to the industry" as director and CEO of the Port of Hueneme.

Since the beginning of her tenure in February 2012, the port has experienced its strongest period of sustained growth since its founding in 1937. Ms. Decas championed the first annual Port Banana Festival, drawing over 10,000 visitors to the port.  

Earlier, she served as CEO and port director for the Port of New Bedford, the top U.S. port based on value of commercial fishing landings, per the National Marine Fisheries Service.  

More recently. Ms. Decas received high-profile appointment by the U.S. Department of Transportation to both the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).

Ms. Decas served as AAPA Chairman of the Board in 2014-15 and currently sits on the association’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Harbors & Navigation Committee.

Long Beach: Joumblat Named Managing Director of Finance and Administration

Sam Joumblat, the chief financial officer at Total Transportation Services Inc., has returned to the Port of Long Beach, this time as managing director of finance and administration. The key financial position manages an annual budget of $750 million and a $4 billion, 10-year capital improvement program.

The Finance and Administration Bureau comprises the port’s Finance, Information Management, Real Estate and Risk Management divisions. The previous director retired late last year.

Mr. Joumblat’s last stint at the port was from 2006 to 2014 as chief financial officer. Earlier, he served as deputy city auditor with the City of Long Beach, a senior manager with Arthur Andersen and 15 years with Atlantic Richfield Co., where he held managerial positions that included supervising internal auditing, general accounting, contracting, information technology and environmental health and safety.

Mr. Joumblat, a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, was named 2012 Chief Financial Officer of the Year for a Government Entity by the Los Angeles Business Journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degrees in business administration, mechanical engineering and industrial engineering from the University of Southern California.

His appointment was effective August 7.