National City Council appoints Dr. Gil Anthony Ungab as interim Port commissioner after public debate

The National City Council appointed Dr. Gil Anthony Ungab on a unanimous roll‑call vote to serve as National City’s interim representative on the San Diego Unified Port District Commission for the remainder of the term ending Dec. 2, 2024. The nomination followed public comment, candidate interviews and a written ballot that produced a majority for Ungab before a formal motion to appoint.

Community members and advocates used the public‑comment period to press the council for a more transparent, community‑centered selection process and to prioritize environmental justice in the port relationship. "The process to select a new port commissioner for National City has not been conducted to receive community input," said Amy Castaneda, policy co‑director with Environmental Health Coalition, calling for a temporary appointment while a broader process is completed. Multiple speakers urged an interim appointment so residents—particularly on the West Side—could weigh in.

At a televised meeting the city explained the vacancy stemmed from the May 7 removal of Commissioner Sandy Naranjo; the City Clerk’s office said the vacancy was advertised from May 7–28 and five applications were received. Deputy City Clerk Hassan told the council the seat must be filled by a National City resident under the San Diego Unified Port District Act, section 16.

Five applicants were interviewed in public: Nicholas (Nick) Nzunza, Dr. Gil Anthony Ungab, Alexander Fernandez, Teddy W. Matthews and Mitch Beecham. Nzunza described his background as a former mayor and service on regional boards and said the seat was a six‑month appointment that required someone able to "hit the ground running." Dr. Ungab, a physician who said he practiced in National City for about 20 years and later ran health‑equity initiatives and start‑ups, emphasized health‑equity expertise and business experience, saying he would apply scientific rigor to port projects. Longshoreman Alexander Fernandez highlighted waterfront and labor ties; Teddy W. Matthews emphasized corporate governance and technology approaches; Mitch Beecham cited decades of local government and environmental consulting experience.

Some members of the public raised concerns about individual applicants. One commenter accused candidate Nicholas Nzunza of past landlord practices and said donations to a councilmember could create the appearance of impropriety; Randy Castle Salgado urged Councilmember Rodriguez to recuse himself because Rodriguez had received a $1,000 campaign donation from an applicant. Council members did not record a recusal, and the meeting proceeded to a written ballot.

Deputy City Clerk Hassan read initial written ballots: Councilmember Molina, Mayor Morrison and Councilmember Bush indicated votes for Dr. Ungab; Councilmember Rodriguez and Vice Mayor Yamane indicated votes for Nzunza, giving Ungab a majority on the first ballot. Councilmember Molina then moved to appoint Dr. Gil Anthony Ungab; the motion was seconded and a subsequent roll‑call voice vote was recorded as unanimous: Bush, Rodriguez, Molina, Vice Mayor Yamane and Mayor Morrison all answered "aye," and the mayor declared the motion approved.

The council directed arrangements for swearing‑in; the clerk noted that the appointee must also be sworn in at the Port Authority. The appointment fills the seat through Dec. 2, 2024, the clerk’s office told the body. The council adjourned after closing procedural items.

What happens next: the appointee will need to be sworn in by the city clerk and by the Port Authority before serving at the next Port Commission meeting; the clerk also noted written ballots are public records. The council did not adopt changes to the application timeline during the meeting; several community organizations asked the city to hold a community‑centered candidate forum and to treat the appointment as interim pending broader outreach.