Full Name
Noel Hacegaba
Job Title
Chief Executive Officer
Company
Port of Long Beach
Speaker Bio
Dr. Noel Hacegaba is the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach, a world leader in supply chain innovation, customer service and environmental sustainability. He is responsible for advancing the Port’s pioneering projects and programs and elevating its leadership position in the global trade arena. Each year, the Port processes nearly 10 million container units carrying $300 billion in goods that power the local, regional and national economy by supporting nearly 3 million jobs.
Dr. Hacegaba leads a team of 600 staff and manages an annual budget of $834 million. He also oversees the delivery of a $3.2 billion capital improvement program, the largest of any port in the nation.
During his 15-year career at the Port, Dr. Hacegaba has distinguished himself as an industry leader and international expert on global trade, port operations, clean energy, workforce development and supply chain resilience, digitization and decarbonization.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, Dr. Hacegaba served as Chief Operating Officer and managed the Port’s day-to-day operations, including Commercial Services, Engineering, Finance and Administration, Planning and Environmental Affairs, Strategic Advocacy and Human Resources.
During the pandemic, Dr. Hacegaba directed the Port’s Business Recovery Taskforce, leading efforts to ease supply chain congestion, launch the nation’s first “pop-up” container yard and introduce 24-hour terminal operations in coordination with industry, labor and government partners.
Dr. Hacegaba also spearheaded the Port’s CargoNav digital visibility tool, 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 multibillion-dollar sales of two of its largest terminal assets, Long Beach Container Terminal and Total Terminals International.
Previously, Dr. Hacegaba served as Chief Commercial Officer, the Port’s senior executive responsible for developing and executing business development strategies to drive cargo and revenue growth. He 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 has also served 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, before he was appointed to its Board of Directors.
In total, Dr. Hacegaba has more than 26 years of public and private sector leadership 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 planning (MPL). He also earned his doctorate in public administration from 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), USC Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute (Chair), Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. 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.
Dr. Hacegaba leads a team of 600 staff and manages an annual budget of $834 million. He also oversees the delivery of a $3.2 billion capital improvement program, the largest of any port in the nation.
During his 15-year career at the Port, Dr. Hacegaba has distinguished himself as an industry leader and international expert on global trade, port operations, clean energy, workforce development and supply chain resilience, digitization and decarbonization.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, Dr. Hacegaba served as Chief Operating Officer and managed the Port’s day-to-day operations, including Commercial Services, Engineering, Finance and Administration, Planning and Environmental Affairs, Strategic Advocacy and Human Resources.
During the pandemic, Dr. Hacegaba directed the Port’s Business Recovery Taskforce, leading efforts to ease supply chain congestion, launch the nation’s first “pop-up” container yard and introduce 24-hour terminal operations in coordination with industry, labor and government partners.
Dr. Hacegaba also spearheaded the Port’s CargoNav digital visibility tool, 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 multibillion-dollar sales of two of its largest terminal assets, Long Beach Container Terminal and Total Terminals International.
Previously, Dr. Hacegaba served as Chief Commercial Officer, the Port’s senior executive responsible for developing and executing business development strategies to drive cargo and revenue growth. He 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 has also served 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, before he was appointed to its Board of Directors.
In total, Dr. Hacegaba has more than 26 years of public and private sector leadership 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 planning (MPL). He also earned his doctorate in public administration from 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), USC Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute (Chair), Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. 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.
