Storms, Flooding & Sea Level Defense November Conference 2024
Jennifer-Cohen
Vice President Government Relations, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (California Streamlined Permitting)
Jennifer Cohen is a seasoned leader in transportation policy and government relations. She currently serves as Vice President of Government Relations at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) working on state policy as well as local and regional issues impacting California ports. Prior to joining PMSA, she held pivotal roles at Tesla, the Port of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, where she led advocacy on issues ranging from goods movement and trade to electric and autonomous vehicle policy. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA, and was awarded a prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship for her research on transportation technology deployment.
Ryan Lansden
Head of Sustainability, APM Terminals, Los Angeles (Electrification Of Terminal Operations)
Ryan Lansden is the Director of Sustainability at APM Terminals Pacific LLC, overseeing sustainability initiatives at Pier 400 in Los Angeles—the largest container port terminal in the Western Hemisphere. APM Terminals operates a global network of more than 60 terminals in over 30 countries, enabling efficient and sustainable containerized cargo movement worldwide.
With two decades of experience at Pier 400, Ryan has held leadership roles in operations, Lean Six Sigma, and project management, giving him a deep understanding of terminal efficiency and innovation. In his current role, he spearheads strategic decarbonization programs, including the deployment of zero-emission cargo-handling equipment and electrification projects, aligning with global climate goals and industry transformation.
Ryan’s mission is to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition to a low-carbon future, leveraging technology, collaboration, and operational excellence to reduce emissions and enhance resilience. His work contributes to shaping the next generation of sustainable ports, positioning APM Terminals as a leader in environmental stewardship and supply chain innovation.
Stas Margaronis
President, Propeller Club of Northern California
Stas Margaronis is the California Ports Reporter for the American Journal of Transportation (AJOT).
Kristi McKenney
Executive Director, Port of Oakland (Green Port Update)
Kristi McKenney was named Executive Director at the Port of Oakland on March 1, 2025, by the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, the Port’s seven-member governing body. Her appointment represents a natural transition from her previous role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) which she held since Feb. 5, 2020. Ms. McKenney is the first woman to serve as Executive Director in the Port of Oakland’s 99-year history.
During her tenure as COO, Ms. McKenney played a crucial role in managing operations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was vital in securing hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal grants to promote a more sustainable Port. Her leadership in developing and implementing the zero emissions strategy for the Port of Oakland has positioned the Port at the forefront of the industry, earning it global recognition. Her efforts to engage the community in the planning and operation of Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport have allowed it to navigate its growth responsibly and transparently.
As COO, Ms. McKenney oversaw Port operations including Engineering Services, Environmental Programs and Planning, Utilities, and Information Technology. Prior to being the COO, she was the Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port’s Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) since 2014. Ms. McKenney has championed women engineers within the Port of Oakland, resulting in many, alongside herself, holding key technical and management positions.
A graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics, Ms. McKenney received her Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She is the 2025/2026 recipient of the Women’s Transportation Seminar SF-Bay Chapter“Woman of the Year Award” and is a member of the UC Berkeley Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
Dr. Sinem Ogis
Vice President, Marsh (Energy) & Chair, Propeller Club of Oslo, Norway (United Nations: IMO Net Zero Emission Rules for Shipping)
Dr. Sinem Ogis is Vice President in the Energy Department at Marsh Norway, where she advises clients across the energy and maritime sectors on risk management, insurance, and strategic challenges. With nearly 15 years of international experience across eight countries, she combines deep expertise in English maritime and commercial law with a strong commercial and regulatory perspective. Her background spans maritime and commercial law, decarbonization, EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, IMO MARPOL, and UK ETS, as well as international regulatory engagement through the IMO Legal Committee and MEPC. Dr. Ogis is Founder and Chair of the Propeller Club of Norway, and 2nd Vice President of the International Propeller Club. She holds an LL.M. from the University of Southampton and Ph.D. at the University of Augsburg.
Clay Sandidge
Senior Director Business Development & Sales, Capstone Energy (Turbines)
Clay A. Sandidge leads commercial and project development initiatives for Capstone Energy+, a premier manufacturer of clean energy microturbines designed for high-efficiency power generation using diverse gaseous fuels, including hydrogen. Leveraging 40 years of expertise across energy, environmental infrastructure, ports, and industrial technology, Clay drives the deployment of versatile, scalable microturbine solutions that enable clients to navigate the clean energy transition, reduce emissions, and enhance reliability and resilience.
Matt Schrap
Chief Commercial Officer, Forum Mobility (Battery Powered Tesla Semis & Charging Stations)
Matt Schrap currently holds the position of Chief Commercial Officer for Forum Mobility Inc.
Prior to joining Forum, Matt was the CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA), the largest Drayage focused Association in the United States. Matt worked closely with fellow supply chain stakeholders along with local, state and federal regulators on a multitude of issues impacting drayage movements on the USWC.
As HTA’s CEO from June 2021 through August 2025, Matt was featured on several national news programs including 60 Minutes, ABC Nightly News, Fox News, CNBC, PBS News Hour, Bloomberg TV, National Public Radio, California Insider, Road Dog Trucking Radio on SiriusXM and a host of other local network affiliates.
Even in his current role, Matt has continued to remain a trusted voice on state and federal policy issues and their influence on supply-chain efficiency constraints within the drayage industry.
Prior to joining HTA, he was VP of Government Programs for the Velocity Vehicle Group of Companies (VVG), where he educated equipment owners, dealership personnel and finance institutions on air quality regulatory policy and incentive programs for Heavy Duty trucks operating across the United States.
Before his time at VVG, Matt was the Director of Environmental Affairs and Intermodal Conferences for the California Trucking Association (CTA). He took the role at CTA after completing the Center for California Studies, Senate Fellows Program in 2005.
Matt is a lecturer and instructor for the College of Professional and Continuing Education, Global Logistics Professional Designation at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and holds an MA in Public Policy Administration from CSULB and a BA in Government from California State University, Sacramento.
Gene Seroka
Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles (V. Thomas Bridge Expansion & Green Shipping Corridors)
Gene Seroka is the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in North America. The Port has experienced a series of record-breaking performances since his appointment, which was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council in June 2014. In addition to setting multiple monthly and quarterly cargo records, Los Angeles is the first and only port in the Western Hemisphere to process more than 10 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in a year – a milestone the Port has achieved three times.
As Executive Director, Seroka interacts with a wide range of stakeholders, including Port customers around the globe, industry partners, elected and appointed officials at all levels, business leaders, community organizations and residents. A respected global trade expert, Seroka has advocated for rules-based trade agreements that benefit American exporters and manufacturers.
Seroka has distinguished himself as a leader throughout his illustrious career in shipping, global logistics and executive management. In 2026, he received the LA Ports Cooperative Agreement Changemaker of the Year Bizzi Award from BizFed for accelerating zero-emissions operations across the port complex. In 2024, the Los Angeles Times profiled Seroka as part of its “L.A. Influential” series, a collection of the city’s top leaders. In 2023, he received the esteemed Stanley T. Olafson Award from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his work in the world trade industry and leadership of the nation’s busiest container port. Also, in 2023, the Asian American Architects/Engineering Association honored him with its President Award.
The Containerization & Intermodal Institute named Seroka the 2021 recipient of the Connie Award, one the most coveted honors in the maritime industry. Lloyd’s List has recognized him as the preeminent source on the supply chain, which earned him a spot in the 2021 Top 100 most influential people in shipping. Also, in 2021, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of leadership and accomplishments in the supply chain, logistics and maritime industry.
Supply Chain Dive named Seroka Executive of the Year in 2020 for his leadership throughout the pandemic. He has been named one of the most influential people in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal and featured on the LA500 list each year since 2016.
As chief of America’s top port, Seroka is responsible for managing a $3.4 billion budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volume and promoting innovative, sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy. Under his direction, the Port has taken a leadership role in adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve the reliability, predictability and efficiency of the flow of cargo across global seaborne trade.
Seroka oversaw the Port’s launch of the first-of-its-kind digital information portal, Port Optimizer™, and has championed for ports around the world to share critical supply chain data and analytics. He’s leading the Port’s efforts to reach ambitious goals for zero-emission cargo-handling equipment and heavy-duty trucks over the next decade. He’s also overseeing the Port’s international green and digital shipping corridor partnerships with China, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Under Seroka’s direction, the Port created a Public Access Investment Plan in 2015 and has funded more than $230 million in public-serving waterfront infrastructure. He’s overseen an unprecedented number of community and visitor-serving projects along the LA Waterfront, including the public-private partnership with West Harbor, a major retail and dining development project.
While serving as Executive Director, Seroka has been appointed to serve on five federal committees to enhance the speed and efficiency of cargo movement and supply chain optimization, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness, U.S. Maritime Administration Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee, Federal Maritime Commission Supply Chain Innovation Team and U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation’s former Port Performance Freight Statistics Working Group.
Seroka has also prioritized training and workforce development in the goods movement sector. He has spearheaded the planned Port of Los Angeles Goods Movement Training Campus, which will provide a centralized location to attract, recruit, and retain workers in the logistics industry.
Seroka currently serves as Vice President for North America of the International Association of Ports and Harbors and on the Boards of Directors for the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, California Association of Ports Authorities and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Advisory Board for Mobility 21, the Southern California Transportation Coalition. A proponent of industry education, Seroka serves on the Northwestern University Transportation Center Business Advisory Council, UCLA Anderson Forecast Board of Advisors and University of New Orleans Alumni Board of Directors.
Seroka’s footing in the maritime industry was established as a sales support representative at American President Lines (APL) Limited’s Cincinnati office in 1988. After several key overseas positions in China, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, he returned to the U.S. in 2010 to become President – Americas for the shipping line in Phoenix where he managed APL’s Liner Shipping business, including 1,000 employees, and was responsible for all commercial, port terminal, intermodal, land transportation and labor activities throughout the region.
Seroka holds an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of New Orleans.
Heather Tomley
Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs (Green Port Report)
Heather Tomley is Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs for the Port of Long Beach, California, named to the post in 2019, leading the Port’s Environmental Planning, Master Planning and Transportation Planning divisions. She joined the Port in 2005 as an Environmental Planning Associate and was promoted through the ranks to Director of Environmental Planning in 2014.
The Planning Bureau’s portfolio includes efforts to implement Green Port Policy, protect habitat, improve air and water quality, manage stormwater, adapt to climate change, implement the Port’s energy initiatives, manage the Community Grants Program, find transportation efficiencies, seek and manage grants for transportation infrastructure and environmental projects, analyze traffic patterns and identify rail improvements, plan for future land uses, and facilitate strategic planning.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Tomley served as a Project Scientist with SCS Engineers and an Air Quality Specialist for the San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) Air Pollution Control District.
Ms. Tomley earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and her Master of Science in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.