Our vision is to be a world-class port, serving the traveling public and national and international transportation providers. The 2006 Spring/Summer issue of Port News substantiates we are well on our way to achieving just that. With our new strategic business plan, we are making Port customers and stakeholders our first consideration in all that we do. We are creating a high-performing enterprise by engaging all employees as agents for improvement and change, and we are strengthening our financial stability by increasing  revenue and giving careful attention to expenses. At Oakland International Airport, the Terminal Improvement Program is well underway. We are attracting new concessionaires and we extend a hearty welcome to ATA Airlines. All of these endeavors will make flying from OAK more convenient and pleasurable for travelers.
The Oakland seaport continues its record-setting growth, largely due to our having prepared for the future when making our plans to improve our marine terminals and intermodal facilities to support more trade with Asia. This summer, we will take possession of a portion of the former Oakland Army Base, where we intend to expand and enhance our connections with the railways that are vital to the efficient movement of goods.
We also are strengthening and developing relationships with ports and shippers around the world. In April, we welcomed shipping industry representatives and other executives to the 5th Annual China Conference here in Oakland. The event was geared for those either currently engaged in or looking to enter China-North America commerce, which is rapidly growing. In recent months, Port officials have traveled to Morocco and Vietnam to share information and build the foundation for new business relationships.
In closing, I want to recognize a technological innovation that made possible much of our growth: containerization. Ben E. Nutter, the Port's Executive Director from 1962-1977, helped make the transition to containerization here in Oakland. Fifty years ago Malcolm McLean created this new way of handling cargo that dramatically reduced shipping costs and created a wave of international trade that has yet to reach it's peak. We intend to ride that wave, putting in place the people, technology and infrastructure needed in the 21st century.
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A Message from Former Executive Director Jerry Bridges - Spring / Summer 2006
