Dr. Noel Hacegaba currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second busiest seaport and a world leader in customer service, supply chain innovation and environmental sustainability. He is responsible for managing the Port’s day-to-day operations, including Commercial Services, Finance and Administration, Engineering Services, Planning and Environmental Affairs and Strategic Advocacy.In recent years, Dr. Hacegaba led the Port’s response to the pandemic-induced supply chain crisis, directing the Port’s Business Recovery Taskforce and coordinating with industry, labor and government partners to identify near-term solutions. Under his leadership, the Port of Long Beach opened the nation’s first “pop-up yard” to provide immediate congestion relief and facilitated the first 24-hour terminal operation. Dr. Hacegaba also spearheaded the Port’s Supply Chain Information Highway, a digital platform designed to improve cargo visibility, connectivity and data-sharing across the national freight network. In addition, Dr. Hacegaba has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Port’s commercial and financial interests as the lead negotiator in the multi-billion-dollar sales of two of its largest terminal assets, Long Beach Container Terminal and Total Terminals International. Previously, Dr. Hacegaba served as the Port’s Managing Director of Commercial Operations and Chief Commercial Officer, the Port’s senior executive responsible for developing and executing business development strategies to drive cargo and revenue growth. In this role, Dr. Hacegaba successfully managed the Port’s commercial activities during a period of significant industry realignment and led the swift recovery of its largest container terminal following the biggest bankruptcy in shipping line industry history, clearing the path for record cargo volumes. Dr. Hacegaba began his career at the Port as the Executive Officer to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, a position that reported directly to the Board and coordinated the governing body’s policy, administrative and communications functions. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint Powers Authority, which governs a major near-dock rail facility serving the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. In total, Dr. Hacegaba has more than 26 years of public and private sector experience spanning a variety of industries. Prior to joining the Port, he managed $200 million in contracts for a Fortune 500 company. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned degrees in economics (BA and MA), business administration (BS) and urban planning (MPL). He also earned his doctorate in public administration at the University of La Verne. Dr. Hacegaba is a Certified Port Executive (CPE) and earned the Port Professional Executive (PPX) and Port Professional Manager (PPM) professional designations from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). In partial fulfillment of his PPM certification, Dr. Hacegaba authored a white paper titled, “Big Ships, Big Challenges: The Impact of Mega Container Vessels on U.S. Port Authorities,” which was published internationally in major industry publications. He has also written numerous other articles over the years that have been published in the Journal of Commerce and Port Technology International, among other publications. In 2025, Dr. Hacegaba was awarded the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Bronze Plaque, the highest honor awarded by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the world trade community, for his exemplary leadership in advancing international trade. Dr. Hacegaba also serves on various influential industry boards, including the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (Vice Chair), California Association of Port Authorities (President), American Association of Port Authorities Professional Development Board (Chair) and the USC Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute (Chair). He is also past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Intermodal Association of North America, the only association that represents the combined interests of the entire freight transportation industry. In addition, Dr. Hacegaba serves on the Boards of Directors of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, Containerization and Intermodal Institute, University of Denver Transportation and Supply Chain Institute, Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce and the Propeller Club of Los Angeles and Long Beach.