Bits 'n' Pieces

Strongest June on Record at Port of Long Beach

Trade soars with consumer spending amid concerns about tariffs.

The Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest June on record, driven by vibrant consumer spending, potential tariff increases and ongoing labor contract negotiations at seaports on the East and Gulf coasts.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 842,446 twenty-foot equivalent units in June, up 41.1% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in June 2022 by 7,034 TEUs.

Imports jumped 53% to 419,698 TEUs, exports rose 4% to 98,300 TEUs, and empty containers moving through the Port increased 42.1% to 324,448 TEUs.

“We are recapturing market share and consumer spending is driving cargo to our docks as we head into the peak shipping season,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “I see modest growth for the second half of 2024 as we strengthen our competitiveness and continue to invest in our rail infrastructure projects that will maximize cargo velocity efficiently and sustainably for decades to come.”

“Our waterfront workforce and terminal operators are delivering top-notch customer service by promptly processing a hefty increase in containers during the very busy summer months,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “We are focusing on our efforts to keep cargo flowing smoothly and secure our position as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade.”

The port has moved 4,291,626 TEUs during the first half of 2024, up 15% from the same period last year.

For complete cargo numbers, visit polb.com/statistics.

The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2024, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the sixth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.3 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.

TLD Managing Partner

TLD Law announced Monica Goel’s promotion to Managing Partner. Monica, a highly respected attorney with more than 24 years of experience, specializes in estate planning, trust and probate law.

Goel joined TLD Law’s team, renowned for providing comprehensive legal services across Los Angeles and Orange Counties since 2000. These services include real estate, employment, corporate and family law. Goel’s legal acumen and leadership qualities have earned her recognition as a Certi-fied Legal Specialist and accolades such as being listed in The Best Lawyers in America and South-ern California Super Lawyers.

Goel’s career highlights include her contributions as a published author and lecturer on various le-gal topics, further solidifying her reputation as a thought leader in estate and trust law. Goel’s educational background includes a B.A. from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

As managing partner, Monica will oversee operations and strategic initiatives across all TLD Law offices, ensuring continued growth and maintaining the firm’s dedication to practicing law elegantly and compassionately. She will elevate the attorneys’ and staff’s capabilities, skills, and education, fostering a culture that nurtures and strengthens the team. This approach aims to secure lasting success for TLD Law in the decades ahead.

TLD Law, established in 1961 by Harold T. Tredway, has a long-standing reputation for excellence and client-focused service. The firm provides specialized legal counsel across a broad spectrum of practice areas, including corporate, civil litigation, trusts & estates, family law, real estate, and employment law. This breadth and depth of expertise enable TLD Law to support a wide range of client needs, from individual estate planning to business litigation and protection.

As a women and minority-owned firm and a proud Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) member, TLD Law brings diverse perspectives, experience, and knowledge, enabling collaboration with clients throughout their lifetimes. The firm offers personalized, insightful, and effective legal solutions that have lasting impacts. Driven by exceptional legal minds with deep-rooted local and regional knowledge, TLD Law represents its clients with visionary approaches and personalized care. The team at TLD Law is tenacious, inventive, and protective of clients, the team, and their needs.

The firm’s tradition of giving back to the community is evident in its ongoing commitment to legal expertise and community engagement. Today, TLD Law’s dedication is visible in its team of top legal professionals, a diverse group of attorneys renowned for their comprehensive practice area knowledge and ability to deliver unparalleled legal counsel to a diverse clientele.

Goel’s promotion marks a significant milestone for TLD Law, reflecting its ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and delivering unparalleled legal counsel to its diverse clientele.

New Trauma Center Medical Director

Douglas Fraser, M.D., FACS, was named medical director of the Trauma Center at MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Fraser is a fellowship-trained, board-certified trauma surgeon who has been with MemorialCare since 2023 and was selected for his leadership in clinical care, policy development and education to improve trauma outcomes.

Fraser previously served as the chief of trauma at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMCSN), a Level 1 trauma center where he took care of the most complex trauma patients from the tiniest, injured infants to the most frail, elderly patients with devastating diagnoses. He was instrumental in implementing REBOA (aortic balloon) and surgical rib fixation (rib plating) to his patients in Las Vegas.

In addition to his role as chief of trauma, Fraser directed surgical resident and fellowship-level postgraduate training programs as division chief of acute care surgery, UMCSN. Notably, he worked for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as a tactical physician to provide support to the SWAT team and search & rescue officers. His EMS training began at the University of Notre Dame where he worked taking medical and fire calls during college.

At MemorialCare, Fraser will provide clinical oversight of the trauma teams, contribute to the development of trauma program initiatives, resident and staff education and trauma research, and foster collaborative relationships with hospital departments to support quality trauma care.

“I am honored to come back home to Southern California and ensure we bring the best in pediatric and adult trauma services to the community we serve,” says Fraser. “I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for trauma care to this role and working with the talented team here to provide the highest level of care to our patients.”

Licensed under MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, the Level II Trauma Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma treats both pediatric and adult patients and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The trauma center is one of the original centers in Los Angeles County, providing trauma care since 1983, and treating over 16,000 patients every year.

Dr. Fraser received his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (now part of Rutgers University). Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in acute care surgery & surgery critical care at the University of Nevada Medical School. Dr. Fraser is board certified in surgery & surgical critical care by the American Board of Surgery (ABS).

Dr. Fraser is a California native, born and raised in Orange County and is excited to be home after 20 years.

Credit Union Awards $23,000 in Scholarships

LBS Financial Credit Union awarded $23,000 total in scholarships this year, benefitting 38 students from Long Beach and neighboring communities to assist them with their education as they begin the 2024-2025 academic year.

The credit union encourages local area high schools, adult schools, and community colleges to participate in their scholarship program by selecting a deserving student to receive an award. LBS Financial Credit Union provided scholarships of $500 and $1,000 to 36 schools, benefiting a total of 32 high school, 2 college, and 2 adult school students. LBS Financial also sent representatives to many of the school or college ceremonies to present the awards in person and attended 14 award ceremonies this year.

Additionally, the credit union also awarded two members with $2,000 each for their perseverance, dedication, academic performance, and community engagement. Any member of the credit union who is currently enrolled as a high school senior or at an accredited college in their freshman-junior year are encouraged to apply.

This year’s awardees were Millikan High School graduate Sydney F. who plans to pursue an under-graduate degree in Earth Science at Stanford University and Long Beach Polytechnic High School graduate, Lauren S. who intends to enroll at Howard University to study Political Science/Media and Broadcast Journalism.

Three New Members Enter LB Golf Hall of Fame

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame will welcome three new members – Larry Benson, Jeff Evans and Brett Lederer – during a public ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 4. The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame was created by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) in 1996 to recognize individuals who “left their mark on Golf in Long Beach.”

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will follow the conclusion of the Long Beach Open professional golf tournament at El Dorado Park Golf Course on Aug. 4, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

“The City of Long Beach has a rich tradition of good golf, good golfers, and great tournaments,” said Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Bob Livingstone. “We want to acknowledge those people who were born or have lived in Long Beach and excelled at the game or made it better for those who play it. These inductees represent what is good about golf in general and golf in Long Beach in particular, and we are happy we can bring in another class in 2024.”

“We are honored to welcome Larry, Jeff and Brett to the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame and acknowledge their wonderful achievements and enduring contributions to golf in Long Beach,” said PRM Director Brent Dennis. “This exceptional group has not only demonstrated excellence on the course, but has also served as invaluable mentors and coaches, shaping the skills and passion of golfers at every level, from juniors through high school and beyond, to the professional arena. I extend my thanks to the Hall of Fame Committee members for their diligent and thoughtful efforts in recognizing these outstanding individuals.”

This year’s induction brings the total number of honorees to 94. More information on the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame and its members is available on the PRM webpage.

Lowenthal Elected Harbor Commission President

Harbor Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal on Monday was elected president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the five-person board that oversees the Port of Long Beach.

The board also selected Frank Colonna as vice president and Steven Neal as secretary. Each July, Commissioners select a President and two board officers to serve one-year terms. The commission’s new officers will begin their terms on Aug. 5, when outgoing commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. will hand the gavel to Lowenthal at the board’s meeting that day.

Lowenthal was previously president from 2019-20 and is currently serving as vice president. She has served Long Beach in a public role for decades, first as a Long Beach Unified School District board member, then as a city councilwoman and vice mayor and as a state Assembly member. Prior to her elected service, she worked as a licensed family counselor and mental health consultant.

“It is an honor to be elected and serve as president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission,” Lowenthal said. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners as we build a port to better serve the residents of Southern California in the decades to come and continue to pursue our trailblazing environmental programs, innovative capital improvements and our ongoing investment in workforce development.”

Under the City Charter, the board sets policy for the port and directs the port’s chief executive officer, who leads about 550 employees in developing and promoting the Port of Long Beach. Members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. They may serve up to two six-year terms.

The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2024, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the sixth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.3 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.