Port of Oakland director to resign

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 9, 2004 | by Paul T. Rosynsky, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- After almost three years as executive director of the country's fourth-largest port and the Bay Area's fastest growing airport, Tay Yoshitani will resign in the fall.

Citing family obligations, the 57-year-old Yoshitani told Port of Oakland commissioners and staff last summer he planned to leave his more-than-$237,000-a-year post to join his family in Baltimore, where he once served as leader of that city's port.

While Yoshitani's resignation was widely known among top port brass, the organization kept his move under wraps until it was forced this week to announce the Port Commission's plans to interview candidates for his job.

Yoshitani said the decision was solely based on the needs of his 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, who was born with Down syndrome.

"My wife and I determined, after doing a lot of thinking and soul searching, that the best chance for (Taylor) to have a good life is to go back to Maryland where we are familiar with the system," Yoshitani said. "We were very engaged in some programs there."

Yoshitani's decision promises to leave a large void in the port, where he helped pilot the organization through its largest seaport expansion in history and set the framework for its largest airport expansion.

Although Yoshitani pledged a smooth transition and vowed to stay on until a replacement is found, the move could spark fierce competition within the organization to replace him.

Among those said to be vying for the top spot are Port Attorney David Alexander, Maritime Director Jerry Bridges and Deputy Executive Director Joe Wong.

At least three other candidates from outside the organization are being interviewed, sources said.

The final pick will have big shoes to fill.

Hand-picked to lead the port by his former boss in Oakland, Chuck Foster, Yoshitani became instant leader of an organization that was revamping each of its three divisions: maritime, aviation and real estate.

At the time, it seemed Yoshitani was groomed specifically for the Oakland job.

His background allowed him to relate to Oakland's cultural diversity, and his job experience gave him instant credibility within the maritime trade and a business sense that helped him navigate the sometimes-turbulent political culture of the city, former and current port commissioners said.

Born in Japan, Yoshitani is a Vietnam War veteran. Before being hired by the port in 1998 as deputy executive director, Yoshitani had served as second in charge of the Port of Los Angeles and director of the Port of Baltimore.

His graduate degree from the Harvard University School of Business helped Yoshitani in his quest to make the port more friendly to its neighbors, officials said.

"People with his array of experiences are very, very hard to find," said Phil Tagami, a former port commissioner who lobbied for Yoshitani's hiring when he was on the board. "He really cleaned up the port's bottom line."

In fact, Yoshitani molded and created a new theme for the port now found in almost every piece of literature the organization releases. It is based on the "Three E's:" environmental responsibility, social equity and economic stability.

"What I brought to the table was a much greater emphasis on getting the organization to focus on the bottom line," Yoshitani said. "The hardest task of this job is that you have so many stake holders that have a vested interest ... it's a real balancing act."

Yoshitani managed to walk that tightrope as he balanced the conflicting needs of such tenants as airline and shipping companies with those of city residents who worry about the port's impact on the environment.

Yoshitani was forced to deal with city leaders long frustrated with the port's autonomy.

"You have to stay nimble," Yoshitani said with a laugh. "Inevitably, you have to make a tough decision that is not unanimously popular."

But whenever he made a decision, former and current commissioners said, it was based on what would help the entire community, not just the port.

"He really knew his stuff," said Commissioner Darlene Ayers- Johnson. "One of the things I really appreciate about Tay is that he was very conscientious about diversity ... and there was never that ego that can get involved with the leadership of the port ... he was very respectful of everybody."

Added Port Commission President John Protopappas: "We are losing a very experienced professional who has a fantastic reputation nationwide."

Describing his job as "the best in the world," Yoshitani said he is saddened to leave just as the port is about to enter a new growing phase.

Its real estate division is working on three large developments that will change the city; the airport is about to double in size; and the maritime division has just started refurbishing its outer harbor terminals.

"I've been at the helm of an organization that has accomplished an enormous amount," he said. "But I heard somebody say many years ago that no amount of success in your job or your career can make up for failures at home."

Before he leaves, Yoshitani's last job will be to help the commission pick a successor.