The US West Coast hub Long Beach has found a new CEO. It is an internal solution that has been chosen to succeed the outgoing Mario Cordero.
Cordero had been at the helm of the port, which together with Los Angeles is considered an important container location in the USA, since 2017. It was announced in October that he would be leaving his post. He had led the port through a period of many fluctuations, with handling losses and high gains – not least as a result of US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy – extensive modernization and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Long Beach Port Committee has now announced that long-time Port Manager Noel Hacegaba is to be appointed as the new Managing Director with effect from January 1, 2026. Hacegaba is currently Chief Operating Officer. Port Committee President Frank Colonna called the new CEO “an ideal fit”: “Noel has extensive experience leading all major port functions, deep knowledge of the freight transportation industry and a collaborative leadership style that will greatly benefit the port as we tackle future challenges and opportunities.” Hacegaba held senior positions at the port for 15 years, eventually working his way up to COO. In this role, he is responsible for day-to-day operations, including commercial services, engineering, finance and administration, planning and environmental affairs, and strategic advocacy.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO of the Port of Long Beach and look forward to shaping the port of the future,” said Hacegaba himself. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Hacegaba holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, business administration and urban planning, as well as a doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne.
In addition to his roles at the port, Hacegaba also served as executive director of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint Powers Authority. This authority oversees a major rail-related transshipment operation that supports the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles. In 2025, Hacegaba was honored by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce with the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award for his outstanding achievements in promoting international trade.
Long Beach – Pacific and military hub
The US port set a new record in 2024 with container throughput of 9.65 million TEU, an increase of 20.3% on the previous year. This means Long Beach remains the second-largest container port in the USA after Los Angeles. As an important US gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles goods worth over 300 billion US dollars annually. It is also one of 18 strategic U.S. commercial ports and is tasked with supporting troop deployments in crisis situations and other national defense emergencies. Over the next ten years, the port plans to invest 3.2 billion US dollars.
