Port Operations Today: Navigating Tariffs, Automation, and Labor Challenges

This session offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how California’s ports keep goods moving. Panelists will begin with a “Port 101” overview, then explore the realities of port governance, longshore labor, and drayage trucking. They will discuss how tariffs, automation, and a complex regulatory environment are reshaping operations, and share insights on how collaboration, technology, and research partnerships can help address today’s challenges.

Speakers & Moderator

	Theresa Dau-Ngo, Director of Port Planning Division, Planning and Environmental Affairs Bureau, Port of Long Beach Theresa Dau-Ngo is Director of the Port Planning Division in the Planning and Environmental Affairs Bureau at the Port of Long Beach, where she provides leadership and direction to a team that is responsible for diverse planning functions including maintaining the state-certified Port Master Plan, preparing and short- and long-range land-use planning studies, managing the Port’s strategic planning efforts, and assessing Port-related economic impacts. Ms. Dau-Ngo’s accomplishments include leading the formation of the Port of Long Beach’s Port Traffic Management team and Traffic Flow Task Force, which facilitated the concurrent construction of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project and the Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Project. These teams leveraged cross-divisional and multiagency coordination to minimize impacts to Port operations and reduce construction-related traffic delays. Prior to joining the Port, her 18 years in the private sector included serving as a consultant at several infrastructure consulting firms in the Bay Area and Southern California. Theresa Dau-Ngo attended the University of Southern California and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Planning and Development. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
	Sal DiCostanzo, Port Liaison/Labor Relations Representative, ILWU, Local 13 Sal DiCostanzo is currently serving as Port Liaison / Labor Relations Representative of International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 13. He has been a registered member of Local 13 since 2006 and has worked in the maritime industry since he began his career, as a casual longshoreman, in 1998. During his time in the Union, Sal has filled many different jobs, from driving equipment, to working aboard ships, rails cars, in warehouses as well as a variety of other positions. Prior to his full-time employment on the docks, Sal was a math teacher at Richard Henry Dana Middle School, in his home town of San Pedro. He earned his teaching credential by taking night classes from California State University, Dominguez Hills while concurrently working in the classroom during the day. Prior to his career as a teacher, Sal worked in banking and insurance after graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
	Matt Schrap, Chief Executive Officer, Harbor Trucking Association Matt Schrap is the Chief Executive Officer of the Harbor Trucking Association. Since taking the role in June of 2021, he has been featured on several national news programs including 60 Minutes, ABC Nightly News, Fox News, CNBC, PBS News Hour, Bloomberg TV, National Public Radio, RoadDog Trucking Radio on SiriusXM, and a host of others where he has discussed drayage, overall trucking industry issues and regulatory policy as well as the various efficiency constraints impacting container movement on the US west coast. Prior to joining HTA, Matt was VP of Government Programs for the Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), where he worked on air quality regulatory policy, finance, and incentive programs for Heavy Duty trucks operating across the Southwestern US.
	(Moderator) Tom O’Brien, PhD, Associate Dean, College of Professional and Continuing Education, CSU Long Beach Dr. Thomas O'Brien is Associate Dean in the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) at California State University, Long Beach and Director of the CA Local Technical Assistance Program (CALTAP) Center. He also serves as Deputy Director of the METRANS Transportation Consortium, a partnership of CSULB and the University of Southern California. He previously served as Executive Director of the Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) also at CSULB. His teaching and research focus on logistics, supply chain management, and goods movement policy as well as transportation workforce development. Dr. O’Brien is a past President of the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC). He is Chair of the Transportation Research Board’s Intermodal Freight Transport Committee and a member of the Urban Freight Committee. He also serves on the Boards of the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce, Los Angeles Transportation Club, and National Transit Institute. Dr. O’Brien has a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Development and a Ph.D. in Policy, Planning, and Development from the University of Southern California. He is a former Eno and Eisenhower Transportation Fellow.