The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has elected Jaime L. Lee as its new president.

Lee has been appointed by Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council.

“I’m humbled to join my fellow harbour commissioners and serve as president of this important commission,” she said. “I look forward to working with all port stakeholders and staff as I continue the efforts of my predecessor to further enhance North America’s premier trade gateway.”

Lee succeeds Vilma Martinez, who served as president of the commission for five years before stepping down earlier this month.

Lee has served as board president and commissioner on the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Board of Administration for the past four years. She was previously a commissioner on the Los Angeles City Industrial Development Authority, the Los Angeles City Quality and Productivity Commission, and the State of California’s Speech Language Pathology, Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. She was also recently appointed to the California Film Commission.

Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern California and a law degree from USC’s Gould School of Law.

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners oversees the management and operation of the Port of Los Angeles, which facilitated US$284 billion in trade during 2017. They serve five-year terms and elections are typically held every July for the offices of president and vice president. All five members of the commission are volunteers, according to the port.