Three New Hires for Port of Los Angeles

The Public Relations & Legislative Affairs division at the Port of Los Angeles has hired three new team members to help extend Port-related community interaction and legislative activity in support of a roster of current and upcoming Port initiatives. Coming to the Port from the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women, Veronica Hendrix has been hired as the Port’s new community-focused Public Information Director. Jenny Chavez, former Legislative Director for 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, assumes the Port’s Los Angeles-focus Legislative Representative post. Wilmington resident and community representative Cecilia Moreno also has joined the Port in the newly created position of Community Affairs Advocate. As a program and media relations manager at the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women for the past 12 years, Hendrix held primary responsibility for media relations, community outreach, legislative advocacy and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for women and girls, such as the Young Women From Adversity to Resiliency (YWAR) program. In her new role, Hendrix will manage a variety of programs and initiatives that support the Port’s local community endeavors and elevate public awareness of the Port on a City-wide and regional basis. Hendrix holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from California State University, Northridge. As the Port’s primary Legislative Representative at City Hall, Chavez will be responsible for monitoring Port related matters that go before City Council. She also will play an integral role in implementing new programs that expose Angelenos in all 15 City Council districts to the activities and legislative-related issues surrounding the nation’s largest and most critical container port. Prior to serving as Legislative Director for Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Chavez was a District Representative for State Senator Debra Bowen (Redondo Beach). Chavez has a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California. Like Hendrix and Chavez, Moreno is also a native Angeleno. As the Port’s Community Affairs Advocate, Moreno will interface extensively with community members about Port related issues and community concerns, especially with regard to environmental impacts related to Port operations and specific projects. On a regional basis, Moreno also will play an active role in promoting the Port’s various “green” initiatives. Moreno attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, earning an undergraduate degree in Personnel Management and an MPA in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Personnel Management. Moreno held positions as an outreach program director and counselor/case manager before joining Shell Los Angeles Refinery in 1998 as a Manager of Community Affairs. Moreno has served on the Port Community Advisory Committee (PCAC), Wilmington Neighborhood Council, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and a number of other civic and community organizations.