Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Port of San Francisco honors outgoing Executive Director Elaine Forbes with tributes from staff and partners
Loading...
Summary
Elaine Forbes, who led the Port of San Francisco for nine years, delivered a farewell address recalling pandemic-era challenges and the Seawall/Waterfront Resilience effort; commissioners, tenants and staff gave extended tributes and the commission paused business to celebrate her service.
Elaine Forbes, executive director of the Port of San Francisco, delivered an extended farewell on the waterfront, reflecting on nine years in the role and the agency’s efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for sea level rise. “Leading the Port Of San Francisco, one of the most remarkable waterfronts in the world, has been the honor of my career and one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Forbes said.
Forbes highlighted the port’s fiscal and programmatic work, including a progression from a 2017 general obligation bond to what she described as a proposed $13,500,000,000 partnership program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address seawall and resilience needs, noting that the project could receive up to 45% federal funding if Congress approves the partnership.
The commission and a long roll call of staff, tenants and partners used the executive director’s report as the centerpiece of the meeting. Colleagues described her leadership in operations, capital delivery and staff development. Jack Baer of the San Francisco Giants praised Forbes’ collaborative style, saying she “brings a calm, thoughtful perspective delivered in that warm, buttery voice that both soothes and disarms.” Brad Benson, director of the waterfront resilience program (speaking remotely), credited Forbes with building the political coalition that passed Proposition A in 2018 and advancing Corps partnership work now reaching early construction milestones.
Multiple port divisions and external partners — from engineering and maintenance to neighborhood organizations and private tenants — described projects completed or underway during Forbes’ tenure, including Mission Rock, Crane Cove Park and Fisherman’s Wharf Forward, and cited efforts to strengthen governance, transparency, and workforce pipelines such as the maritime internship program.
The meeting paused formal business as the commission presented Forbes with remarks and gifts and opened a time for more staff and partner remarks outside. The public-comment portion of the tribute included in-person and remote speakers who thanked Forbes for mentorship, partnerships with labor and tenants, and for prioritizing equity and workforce development.
Procedural note: the tribute and public comment took place before the consent calendar and other agenda votes, and the commission reconvened to complete the remainder of the meeting and business items.
The commission adjourned at 5:21 p.m. after presenting the director with a gift and inviting attendees to an external celebration.
