The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has promoted Chief Harbor Engineer Douglas A. Thiessen to Managing Director of Engineering, a new position created to oversee the Port's reorganized Design, Construction Management and Program Management divisions.

The Harbor Commissioner made the appointment at its meeting Monday, February 12.

'Doug has an excellent track record here at the Port,' said Richard Steinke, the Port of Long Beach's executive director. 'His ability to successfully lead complex construction projects, his maritime industry knowledge and many other skills make him a great fit for this higher position on our management team.'

As Chief Harbor Engineer, a position he has held since 2000, Thiessen oversaw a full-time staff of more than 100 people, plus hundreds of consultants, including engineering design, project and contract management, surveying and mapping, and construction. He directed all Port engineering and construction projects, more than $200 million a year in capital improvement projects.

The Port's new position of Managing Director of Engineering is part of a reorganization and strategic plan approved by the Commission in 2006.

Thiessen is Chairman of the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, a member of the Alameda Corridor Railroad Operating Committee and a former Governing Board member of the Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Thiessen, a native of Virginia who grew up in Hawaii and Micronesia, holds a Bachelor's Degree from University of Southern California, where he also did postgraduate studies in civil and structural engineering. He has also been a Graduate Lecturer in civil engineering at California State University Long Beach.