Future of LA Waterfront: San Pedro and Ports O'Call

Joe Buscaino is a member of the Los Angeles City Council, elected on January 17, 2012 to fill the vacancy left by Janice Hahn, following her successful bid for US Congress. He was re-elected to his first full four-year term on March 5, 2013. Councilman Buscaino quickly won the respect of his City Council colleagues, and was appointed by the Council President to serve as Chairman of the powerful Public Works & Gang Reduction Committee. As Chair, Buscaino was tasked with oversight of the City’s gang reduction efforts, and the Department of Public Works. Public Works is the City's third largest department and is comprised of a staff of more than 5,000 employees who are responsible for the construction, renovation, and operation of City facilities and infrastructure. The Department builds the City's streets, installs its sewers, and constructs storm drains as well as public buildings, rights-of-way, and service facilities. Councilman Buscaino’s other committee assignments included serving as the Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee and as a member of the Entertainment and Facilities Committee, Health, Mental Health and Education Committee, Trade, Commerce, and Technology Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2024 Summer Olympics. In 2017, Councilman Buscaino was named Chair of the new Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee which oversees the Port of Los Angeles - the busiest Port in the United States, LAX - the 2nd busiest airport in the United States and the LA Tourism Bureau. Councilman Buscaino was also named Vice Chair of the Economic Development, Vice Chair of the Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2024 Olympics. In addition, he serves as the Mayor’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. In addition to serving as an AQMD board member, Councilman Buscaino serves as the Legislative Committee, Vice Chair, Technology Committee, Vice Chair, Refinery Committee, Vice Chair and the Climate Change Committee, Vice Chair. Prior to his election to the City Council, Buscaino served for 15 years as a police officer in the Los Angeles Police Department. His assignments included the Office of Chief of Police, West Traffic Division, Emergency Operations Division and, for the previous six years, Senior Lead Officer for the Harbor area, where he became a well-liked and well-respected leader in the community. He created the LAPD’s first Teen Community Police Advisory Board, an organization that works with teens to problem solve and break the barriers between police and teenagers. His concept of bringing youths’ perspectives to problem solving with the police department was implemented citywide in 2011.

Michael J. Galvin is the Director of Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate at the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s leading container port. The Port of Los Angeles is a landlord seaport, covering 7500 acres of land and water, with more than 300 leaseholders. In this role, Galvin is responsible for development and management of the Port’s LA Waterfront including commercial development opportunities, cruise passengers, commercial fueling, recreational marinas, hotels and restaurants that create public access to the Port’s expansive waterfront amenities. Galvin also oversees the Port’s redevelopment program for marine oil terminals under the State of California Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS). The Port’s MOTEMS program will deliver over $200 million in capital improvements to the Port’s marine oil terminals which support regional refinery operations, LAX aviation fuel logistics and the San Pedro Bay bunker fuel market. Appointed to his current position in April 2015, Galvin previously served as the Port’s Director of Special Projects. Galvin first joined the Port in 2004 as a real estate officer. He quickly promoted to Assistant Division Head for the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Engineering, Real Estate Division and then returned to the Port in 2005 as Deputy Director of Real Estate before promoting to Director of Real Estate in 2007. He began his City career in 2000 as a Real Estate Associate for the Bureau of Engineering. Galvin holds a bachelor of arts in U.S. history from the University of California, San Diego and is scheduled to receive his juris doctor from Western State College of Law in 2015. Galvin is a licensed real estate broker in the State of California. A Los Angeles resident, Galvin has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association since 2000.

John D. Lesak, AIA, LEED AP, FAPT, is a Principal with Page & Turnbull and manager of the Los Angeles area office. With an interdisciplinary education in architecture, engineering, and materials science, John has specialized in the preservation, rehabilitation, repair, and reuse of historic structures since 1993. During the course of his career, he has been privileged to serve as a historic architect on a number of award-winning preservation projects–including the exterior rehabilitations of the Wisconsin State Capital and Los Angeles City Hall, the relocation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the restoration of the spire at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Marin County Civic Center. Concerns over the socio-cultural impact of environmental degradation led John to co-found and serve as past US-chair of Association of Preservation Technology International (APTi’s) Sustainable Preservation Technical Committee. He has co-authored published papers and lectured on seismic impacts, deterioration mechanisms and restoration of historic cladding systems. John has written and/or lectured on the relationship between green building and historic preservation for the APTi, Traditional Building magazine, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the California Preservation Foundation, and the Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo. John meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Architecture and Historic Architecture.

Doane Liu was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in March of 2017 to the post of Executive Director of the Department of Convention and Tourism Development. In this capacity, Liu will manage the Department of Convention and Tourism Development, including the L.A. Convention Center, working to build on its record-breaking success in 2016, and prepare the Convention Center to serve as a key venue in the 2024 Games. Previously, Liu served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff at the Port of Los Angeles, where he helped to oversee the agency’s daily operations and managed the Bureau of External Affairs. Prior to joining the Port in 2015, Liu served as Mayor Garcetti’s Deputy Mayor for City Services, where he was a member of the team that worked on the City’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Before he joined the Port, Liu spent more than 15 years working in local and federal government, as Deputy Mayor under both Mayor Garcetti and Mayor Jim Hahn, Chief of Staff to Councilmember Joe Buscaino and Councilwoman Janice Hahn, and as an aide to Congresswoman Jane Harman. He also worked in the financial sector as a government banking and real estate specialist. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business.

Tim McOsker is co-chair of the Government and Regulatory Department at Glaser Weil LLP and heads its downtown Los Angeles law office. Tim previously served as the Chief Deputy City Attorney for Los Angeles and as the Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. For the past three decades, Tim’s career has focused on legislative and regulatory matters for both public and private clients, including in the areas of land use, environmental, permits, contracts and related issues before local government agencies. Tim serves as General Counsel to AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and is a member of the Harbor Interfaith Services Board of Directors. In addition to serving in a variety of professional, civic, philanthropic and community leadership roles, Tim was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the governing board that is responsible for dissolving the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, and concluded that service in 2016. Before serving the City of Los Angeles, Tim was in private practice as a partner and manager at a municipal law firm, during which he served as City Attorney for California municipalities, including Lomita, Manhattan Beach and Downey. He and his wife Connie are active community members in San Pedro, where they live and raised their five adult children.

As Vice President of the California Buildings District, Jack oversees all of PCL Construction’s building operations in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. He began with PCL as an intern on the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management in 1993. Upon graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering from UCLA, he transitioned to working full-time in the field on such notable projects as STAPLES Center. He served many roles for the company over the years including Project Manager, Manager of Special Projects, and Director of Business Development, until assuming PCL’s leadership role in Los Angeles in 2013 and overseeing such high profile projects as Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter. PCL’s current projects include the Banc of California Stadium for LAFC, UCLA Anderson School of Management Addition, LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse, and Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine.

4th-generation Southern Californian who is passionate about progressive urban planning, innovative construction technologies and good design. Interested anywhere along the Pacific coast from San Diego to San Luis Obispo where some of the most charming communities - from small towns to the mega-metropolis - thrive! Enjoy the ideal climate paired with interesting geography and relish the opportunity to develop these places to their fullest potential. Experience includes constructing over 800+ units of luxury mixed-use units with thousands of SF in tenant improvements. Latest endeavors have allowed me to branch out into the development world to pursue new deals, guide design programming and shepherd a project from concept to reality.

Milan Ratkovich is a Senior Development Manager with The Ratkovich Company. Milan originally joined the company after graduating from UCLA in 1992, and rejoined the company in 2005 after spending nine years in the United States Marine Corps serving as a heavy helicopter pilot and flight instructor. Milan’s recent projects include the renovation of The Hercules Campus at Playa Vista, a 530,000 square foot project consisting of eleven nationally registered historic landmark buildings incorporating the former Howard Hughes offices and the 330,000 square foot hangar in which the “Spruce Goose” was built. Previous projects include The Alhambra where Milan managed the entitlement of 311 for-sale residential units as well as the development of a 50,000 square foot LA Fitness center and accompanying 760 car parking structure. Milan also was the Development Manager at 5900 Wilshire, a 31-story Class A office building located in the Miracle Mile. During his tenure there, 5900 Wilshire was awarded BOMA’s TOBY award. Currently Milan is the Senior Development Manager of both The Hercules Campus at Playa Vista and The Bloc in Downtown Los Angeles. The Bloc is a mixed use development consisting of 730,000 square feet of office space, 430,000 square feet of retail space and a 496 room Sheraton Grand hotel. Favorite TRC Project: The Wiltern Theater and accompanying Pellissier Building. Milan was fortunate to see the building prior to its purchase and renovation and was thoroughly amazed at its transformation. Favorite City: I am torn between two favorites. Los Angeles is home and has it all, while Kailua, HI was home for four wonderful years. Favorite Cause: Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. They provide scholarships to children of fallen Marines and federal law enforcement officers.

Growing up in Santa Monica, Greg Morena was immersed in the boom of the California skate and surf lifestyle, a culture that sparked creativity and inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. While in college, Greg created his first business, Synergy Consulting, dedicated to managing influential brands in the consumer product industry. Five years later, he partnered with a group of respected CPA's and created an accounting and financial services firm, Synergy KMC. Bolstered by his background in the consumer product industry, Greg pursued internal operating positions, acting as COO for Undefeated and CFO for The Hundreds, both international niche fashion brands and retail chains. Utilizing his financial acumen, Greg also served as CRO for the Bleach Group, an international brand house and Breakwater Investments Holding, where he managed and executed the reorganization and exit strategies. In 2013, Greg and his wife, Yunnie Morena, took over the helm of the SM Pier restaurant that Yunnie’s parents had owned and run for 35 years. They renamed the restaurant The Albright, a reference to the nautical Albright Knot that symbolizes tying together paths, the way this restaurant symbolizes the tying together of two generations of family operators. Yunnie and Greg modernized and streamlined the décor and exterior while preserving the restaurant’s original atmosphere and character. They retained the feeling of its relaxed seaside setting while implementing a new, thoughtful menu that reflects a commitment to sustainable seafood, locally sourced ingredients and an extensive craft beer and California wine program. In recognition of their dedication to their City and local customers, The Albright was named The Most Loved Business on the Santa Monica Pier (2017) by the City of Santa Monica. Greg and his team at The Albright have also been trailblazers in their sustainability and greening efforts on the Santa Monica Pier. Recognized as the first Green Certified business on the SM Pier 2015 – 2017 by the City of Santa Monica, they have also been awarded the 2017 Sustainable Quality Awards Grand Prize and the 2016 Sustainable Quality Awards Stewardship of the Natural Environment by the City of Santa Monica. These awards are a testament to the impact that The Albright has had in helping to create a green movement across all businesses on the Pier. In an effort to divert and recycle more than one million gallons of organic waste, the Pier’s first green pilot program is set to launch in Fall 2017. In addition to his sustainability efforts, Greg is an active member within the City of Santa Monica. He developed a successful Pier Corp. Partnership, integrating food services from a Pier business into the programmed events on the Pier and surrounding areas. As a member of the Santa Monica Pier Lessee's Association and founder of the Sustainability Committee, he continues to work toward greening the Santa Monica Pier. Greg also sits on the board of the Santa Monica's Transportation Management Organization and the Audit Committee for Santa Monica's City Council. In 2014, due to the popularity of their Cheesesteak offering during Pier events, Greg and Yunnie created Vinny's Cheesesteak, a delicious and unique catering offering. In their continuing efforts to satiate customer demand, the duo then created Cast Iron Catering in 2015, which provides a full range of food services and event production to the greater Los Angeles area. In Fall 2017, The Albright will launch The Albright Oyster Co., its namesake sustainable oyster brand farmed in UNESCO waters. In 2016, Greg and Yunnie joined their multiple successful food service brands into a restaurant group, Est. 1977, which pays homage to their family business legacy that began in 1977. Est. 1977 continues to develop and operate a variety of restaurant and catering concepts, ranging from fast casual dishes to a modern take on seafood classics. Combining high concept design, with a commitment to using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, they have created unique and vibrant businesses that continue to expand. Est. 1977’s latest venture, a sustainable seafood restaurant named Pappy’s Seafood, is slated to open late Summer 2017 in Downtown San Pedro, CA. Greg is honored to be expanding the business into a community he finds truly inviting and inspiring. As a board member of the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District, Greg partnered with the Arts District to adopt a new mural program in the downtown area. Continuing his commitment to the city, Greg was also voted as Treasurer of the San Pedro Poperty Business Improvement District in 2017. Greg remains a proud resident of Santa Monice where he lives with his wife, Yunnie, their two young sons and their new puppy, Mochi.

Mr. Dhiraj Narayan has been with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) for over eight years and serves as its Development Officer. He has an extensive background in real estate development, finance and consulting. He is involved in managing development services and activities pertaining to financing affordable housing development and operations. His responsibilities include performing financial risk and feasibility analyses. He is integral in negotiating fees, expenses and terms of investment and closing financial transactions and achieving the necessary HUD approvals. Prior to joining HACLA, he worked with Forest City Development for over four years as a Senior Financial Analyst where he had overall responsibility for financial pro forma analysis of Forest City - West Coast acquisition, development & disposition activities and was the lead in managing due diligence process during hunting or predevelopment process. Prior to this, he worked as a consultant with Kosmont Partners where he was involved in diverse projects ranging from pre-development entitlement due-diligence, financial feasibility analysis, bidding municipal bond letter of credit, economic development studies etc. Dhiraj graduated Phi Kappa Phi with dual Master Degrees in Real Estate Development & Urban Planning from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.