Transcript- Episode 150: When Goods Move, the Economy Works: Rebuilding L.A. Through Ports, Policy, and People with Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Long Beach Episode 150
Release Date: 07/22/2025
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:00:00]:
If we want to be better in the future, if we want to be bigger in the future, we need to make sure we don't leave the workforce behind. We need to make sure that we're preparing today, the workforce and the leaders that we're going to need tomorrow.
Christina Barsi [00:00:18]:
The workforce landscape is rapidly changing and educators and their institutions need to keep up. Preparing students before they enter the workforce to make our communities and businesses stronger is at the core of getting an education. But we need to understand how to change and adjust so that we can begin to project where things are headed before we even get there. So how do we begin to predict the future?
Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:43]:
Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cumo, Vice President of.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:46]:
Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast.
Christina Barsi [00:00:52]:
And I'm Christina Barci, producer and co host of this podcast.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:55]:
And we are starting the conversation about.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:57]:
The future of work.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:59]:
We'll explore topics like how education can partner with industry, how to be more equitable equitable and how to attain one of our highest goals, more internships and pcc. Students in the workforce. We at Pasadena City College want to lead the charge in closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. This is a conversation that impacts all of us. You, the employers, the policymakers, the educational institutions, and the community as a whole.
Christina Barsi [00:01:30]:
We believe change happens when we work together. And it all starts with having a conversation. I'm Christina Barci.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:37]:
And I'm Salvatrice Cumo. And this is the Future of Work.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:42]:
Hi. Welcome back to the Future of Work podcast. I am your host, Dr. Salvatrice Cumo. Today I am speaking with returning guest Dr. Noel Hasegaba, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Long Beach. Dr. Hasegaba has been a key leader in shaping the port's sustainability strategy, guiding digital transformation and driving infrastructure investments that connect global trade with local economic development.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:02:09]:
With over a decade at the port and prior experience in both public and private sectors, he brings a wide lens view of the supply chain's evolving role in LA's resilience. In this episode we'll explore the port's role in rebuilding the Los Angeles's economy, the insights gained from the supply chain crisis and what it will take to modernize logistics and prepare Future Ready workforce. Dr. Hasegaba, welcome back to the show. It's a pleasure to have you again. How are you?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:02:39]:
I'm doing very well, Dr. Kumo. And thanks again for having me. It's always a pleasure to talk to you.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:02:44]:
Thank you so Much. We're going to dive right in. I mean, you're a returning guest. We had such a great conversation at the first round, this second round, diving a little bit deeper into some of the work that you've been focusing on. And I want to just to remind our audience about who you are and how you came about this work. How did you find your way into this world of supply chain and what kept you here?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:03:06]:
Well, it's a story I'd like to tell because I hope it inspires those who are watching to pursue careers in supply chain logistics. I fell into the industry like so many others when I was in college and even in graduate school. Supply chain, logistics, distribution, management, they weren't career paths that were well known or promoted. I was working at the time in the private sector after having served in public service at the municipal level. And I stumbled across this opportunity this way. I was attending an event that was hosted by the Port of Long beach, and I had purchased my ticket online. I showed up the day of the event, picked up my seating assignment. I walked to the table where I was assigned and every seat was taken.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:03:54]:
So there was either a mix up or someone took my seat by mistake. And so I ended up not complaining or doing anything. I simply looked for another seat at another table. And at that point in the program, there were only a few tables that had open seats and they were tables furthest away from the podium. So I found the seat and sat down. Lo and behold, the person sitting right next to me happened to be the director of human resources for the port. And we did some small conversation. She asked me about my career path and I told her.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:04:24]:
And I had to leave a little early, so I excused myself politely and she asked me for another business card, which I thought was a little interesting, but I gave her my business card. And 10 days later, in my mailbox at my work office, I received the job bulletin for what eventually became my first job at the board. So it was not. It was not something I was planning for. I mean, I think it's providential, but it's been an amazing run. I've been with the Port of Long beach now 15 years, have held four different leadership positions with increasing responsibility. And I love what I do, I love the organization and the fact that I can sit down with folks like you to talk about all the exciting things that I get to do here at the port.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:05:06]:
That's amazing. What a beautiful story to remind us about how things just happen. They happen for a reason. And you were there. It was an Alignment. It was your purpose and alignment. And I love that story. And while your time there, you've had some time through your leadership roles and kind of thinking through the economy from when you started and now.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:05:25]:
Right. And just major issues and opportunities as well. Right. Like we've had some real significant highlights in the last decade. What would you say during your time where you told yourself like something major has to change here in how we conduct ourselves or just business in general?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:05:41]:
A great question. Because it forces us to reflect on what's working, what's not, and to think about the future in a thoughtful way, which sometimes we're too busy to do. I will tell you that the supply chain crisis that was triggered by the pandemic forced us all to rethink how we do business here at the port of Long beach, but also across the supply chain. And I like to say, Salvatrice, that prior to the supply chain crisis, ports in general, they were invisible. And no one really thought about ports. They didn't really give much thought to what a port does. But when folks started going to the store to buy appliances or to buy apparel or footwear, and the store shelves were completely empty and the excuse they were given by the store clerks was stuck somewhere at the port, it forced people to understand what a port does and more broadly what supply chain is. So I like to say that during the supply chain crisis, ports went from being invisible to being infamous because everyone was blaming us for the shortages, for the delays, and all of a sudden we became important.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:06:49]:
And so today I think most people understand what a port does. So that's one thing, but the other thing we learned is how to collaborate and coordinate better logistics and supply chain. It's a team sport and it's a system of systems. And we're all better together to the extent that we can collaborate, share information, share data, and put each other in the best position to optimize our operations. And for that reason, last year, for example, calendar year 2024, that was our all time best in terms of container volumes. Would you believe that we handled more cargo than ever in our 114 year history with zero congestion, zero delays? And that's because we learned during the supply chain crisis how to work better, how to be more efficient, how to, how to share information. So I think that's certainly one area that we have learned from one area that is going to help us build into the future. Because during that timeframe we also continue to invest aggressively in our infrastructure.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:07:53]:
I mean, we've invested more than $5 billion in the last 15 years. And we're on track to invest another $3.2 billion. And that's just the Port of Long beach alone. So as we build out our infrastructure, we're also enhancing our operating practices, our operating procedures, to make sure that we're maximizing the benefits and advantages of our infrastructure.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:08:15]:
Would you say there were any other wake up calls to change? I mean, you gave a really great example of when grocery stores are saying, well, our shelves are empty, blame the poor. You know, what were some other wake up calls that you can say, Salvatore? This was a moment where I said to myself, this had to change.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:08:34]:
Well, during the supply chain crisis, we experienced a significant shortage in the workforce all throughout the supply chain. And I'm not just talking about dock workers, truck drivers, rail operators, I'm talking about warehouse workers, those who work for companies that provide critical services to ports like ours. And it was a wake up call in the sense that if we want to be better in the future, if we want to be bigger in the future, we need to make sure we don't leave the workforce behind. We need to make sure that we're preparing today the workforce and the leaders that we're going to need tomorrow. And that is why here at the Port of Long beach, we have industry leading programs and initiatives to support our partners across the supply chain in the area of workforce development.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:09:24]:
Excellent. Would you say those are something that an initiative or a programming that you've led? Because I'm kind of curious about what are some of the changes that you particularly have led or have witnessed where you say to yourself at this moment, because we've done this, it makes the port stronger and more prepared for the future of work.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:09:44]:
So it's evolving.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:09:45]:
Okay.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:09:46]:
When I first joined the port back in 2010, we had a very strong education program where we endeavored to collaborate with our local school district, in this case Long Beach Unified School District, our community college, our state university, and create a pathway, a pipeline to expose young students to port and logistics and supply chain. And we started with one high school, Cabrillo High School in Long Beach. And that program is now about nine years old. It's the Academy of Global Logistics and it is now a district wide pathway so students who are in high school and can choose that pathway. And what that does is that it sets them on a path to explore careers and logistics at the community college level and at the state university level as well, whether it's Long Beach, State or other universities. Well, today we have three other pathways. Salvatorese, partnering With Jordan High School, for example, in Long Beach Poly High School and others. And we're developing different pathways focused on stems, focused on sustainability, careers and automotive repair.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:10:56]:
And this is all in an effort to broaden our efforts as a port authority and get as many of our youth in our local community to benefit from careers in logistics. So that's one area. The other thing we're doing, and I think we're doing fairly well, is we're also partnering with our trades and our unions, and we're asking them, what are your needs? What do you forecast in the future you will need in the form of skills? And we're partnering with them, as well as a community college to develop curriculum and programs to start attracting youth into those career paths. So we're taking a very comprehensive approach. It's not something that you would expect a port of 40 like ours to do, but we believe that if we want to be successful in the future, we got to invest in our workforce. And they may not end up working for our port, but they may end up working for a terminal operator, a shipping line, a rail company, a trucking company. And we want to do our part to make sure we have that workforce ready to do that.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:12:01]:
Thank you. Thank you for doing that. That's. That's a big lift. It's a big lift, and it's a big commitment, especially for an entity as large as a Port of Long Beach. And. But you mentioned something very important where you said, we're also partnering and we're also talking with the local unions to identify the needs gap so that we can build a comprehensive program. So typically, when we hear employers talking about programming, it's very singular, focused in their area.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:12:32]:
Right. Whereas you're saying. No, we recognize that while, yes, we're preparing the upcoming workforce into pathways such as the Port of Long beach, there are other areas of expertise that are needed out in the industry as a whole. And so congratulations. Kudos on that. Because it is difficult to do. Everyone thinks it's really easy to do those kinds of comprehensive programming and integrated work. That it's very, very difficult.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:13:00]:
It takes. Right? It takes. There's a lot of moving parts layered with policy and all that good stuff that we follow. So thank you. Thank you for doing that. I want to congratulate you on that because that's a big lift, but it's a lift worth, especially preparing for the future of work. So thank you. Thank you for that.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:13:17]:
Well, that's very kind of you, Salvatrice. And I will say we have an amazing team Here at the port, who focuses on that entirely. We have a workforce development team under our government relations division, and they're really the ones who are moving the needle and establishing those critical partnerships. So thank you for recognizing that.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:13:35]:
Excellent, excellent. I want to shift gears just a little bit and talk about public perception. Right. We all face that as entities. Community colleges do, too. The perception has definitely shifted in the recent years. And you kind of alluded to that moments ago with the story about the grocery stores. But how have you seen it change, even from, you know, let's just say five years ago.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:14:00]:
Okay, five years ago to now? How have you seen the public perception change, and how has it affected collaboration across sectors?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:14:08]:
I love the question because when I first joined the port back in 2010, the world was different. And I'm not exaggerating. Right. The world itself was different. The industry was different. And so much has changed. And throughout that time, I'm pleased to say that based on the surveys that we have done, perception, the community perception of a port like ours has actually improved. And the reason for that is because we've become much more responsive to the needs of our surrounding communities and neighborhoods.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:14:38]:
For example, this year, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of our green port policy. And Salvatrice, back in 2005, when the port of Long beach made that bold declaration that it was going to be a green port, there was so much resistance. There were so many naysayers that were saying and were suggesting that that would never be possible. Well, here we are, 20 years later. Every category of emissions has decreased significantly. I mean, it's been an extraordinary run, all thanks to the collaboration of our industry partners, the ships, the operators, our dock workers, everyone pulling together to invest in cleaner equipment. We invested in cleaner infrastructure. So that's one reason why perception of a port like ours has improved.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:15:28]:
In general, though, as you noted, people in general are more knowledgeable about ports and logistics. They now understand that most of the products that we buy from stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Target, et cetera, those products weren't manufactured in the U.S. they came from overseas. Asia in most cases. And so those goods have to get here somehow. And that's how people start making the connection between what they buy from the store and how it gets here. And that has been an incredible lift for us because now it's easier to explain to the public who we are, what we do, and how we support them. For example, we just released our economic study.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:16:12]:
The Port of Long beach alone supports 1 in 17 jobs in the region. That's over 700,000 jobs, Salvatore. That's over a million jobs in California. California. And that's almost 3 million jobs across the United States. So we're a massive economic engine, and we want to promote that. Right. We want the public, we want the Los Angeles region to know that their port assets are working for them.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:16:40]:
You say 1 in 7 or 1 in 17.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:16:42]:
1 in 17 across Southern California. And that's just the Port of Long Beach. Right. When you combine Long beach and Los Angeles together, the numbers are essentially doubled.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:16:52]:
Wow.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:16:52]:
Spectacular. Well, speaking along that same thread of local jobs and the workforce, how have the recent tariffs or trade policy impacted these local jobs now? And how do you see them being impacted or not for future?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:17:09]:
That deserves its own program.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:17:12]:
It sure does.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:17:13]:
That has certainly been top of mind for us. It's been an unprecedented, uncertain time. When President Trump was campaigning last summer and when it was looking like he was going to be reelected, there are a lot of people who are thinking as it relates to trade policy and tariffs, we've seen that movie before, right? We lived it back in 2018, 2019. But I will say this. When you compare what happened in 2018 and 2019 and what's going on this year, just in the. In the last six months, it's vastly different. I mean, this is not just a rerun of that movie. It's not even a sequel.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:17:51]:
It may include the same characters, but it's a completely different approach to trade policy and tariffs in terms of scope and scale. I mean, think about this. The retaliatory tariffs announced on Liberation Date applied to virtually every single trade partner that the U.S. has. So back in 2018, 2019, it was primarily focused on certain key trade partners. For example, China. And by the way, that was an important fact. We were disproportionately impacted back then because China at the time, they accounted for about 70% of our business here in Long Beach.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:18:25]:
Today, that's down to 60%.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:18:27]:
Okay?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:18:28]:
And so we're keeping a close eye on tariffs because they certainly influence. They certainly impact cargo flows, they affect consumption. Right. So far, we haven't seen the brunt of it. I mean, as a matter of fact, we've seen the opposite effect, because a lot of shippers motivated to get their product in before tariffs go into effect, they've been doing what we call a lot of front loading. So they've been advancing their shipments. So for that reason, for the first half of 2025, Salvatore's the Port of Long Beach. We're up 10% year over year.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:19:00]:
So we've been on this, on this incline. But May and June, things did slow down. So we're beginning to see the effects of tariffs. So we're hopeful things will get resolved. We're very hopeful that things will get resolved. And we're actually thinking that the second half of the year may not be as bad as we first projected. So we're going to keep a close eye on all of that.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:19:21]:
Please do. We all are anxiously waiting and seeing how this is going to unfold because it impacts so many different sectors and of course, the Port of Long beach being the first.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:19:34]:
Yeah. And let me just say this as well for your audience. I mean, this is the reason why I like to say that goods movement is literally the economy in motion. When those containers stop moving, Salvatores, those are jobs. That's business activity. That's what keeps our LA Southern California economy humming. So this is why this is an important topic, not just for folks like us. It's important for everybody because our jobs rely on it.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:20:01]:
The economy of our cities, our counties in our state rely on it.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:20:05]:
Say that one more time for the audience.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:20:06]:
When goods move, goods movement is literally the economy in motion. When containers stop moving, that impacts jobs, it impacts businesses. It impacts our local, regional, national economy. In fact, I'll say this. You know, the containers that cross our docks every day, they reach all 435 congressional districts. So we are an asset of national significance.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:20:33]:
Wow. I'm going to add that to the show notes that that's maybe the tagline to the show note. Exact quote from you. I. When you say it that way, it resonates differently. And I appreciate that. I genuinely appreciate that. And yes, it impacts and affects everything and everyone around us.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:20:51]:
Business, jobs, directly or indirectly related to the ports. And you mentioned earlier about how the port is preparing for the future of work with these integrated, collaborated programs with other entities and agencies, wondering if the port is also focusing on any kind of new technologies in the preparations for the future of work. And might you spend a little bit of time of the type of workforce you're going to need or the worker that you'll need in preparation.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:21:19]:
So technology certainly plays a key role in our future. When you look at how quickly technology is evolving, all of us as consumers. Right. Are leveraging that technology. I mean, it's hard to find someone who doesn't own a smartphone these days. Right. I mean, occasionally you run into someone who has a flip phone, but that's by choice. Right.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:21:38]:
But here at the port and in logistics and across the Supply chain. We're leveraging technology to reduce emissions and to decarbonize. We have the most ambitious and aggressive goals of any port in the world. Zero emissions cargo handling equipment by 2030 and zero emissions trucks by 2035. Wow. That means that in the coming years we're going to have to transition all of that equipment and all that technology has to get us to zero emissions. So I say that because we're going to have to train the workforce to be able to operate all this brand new equipment, to be able to maintain it and fix it and repair it when it needs repair. So those are all jobs, those are all jobs we're going to need in the future.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:22:24]:
We're going to have to train the workforce to understand how to operate that new equipment. The trucks that are coming online that are zero emission Salvatores, most of them today, are battery electric. Everyone understands that, right? You just plug it in, you charge it. But there are other trucks that are hydrogen powered or hydrogen fuel cell powered. And so that opens doors for new skills and new job opportunities. Someone's going to have to operate that equipment and they're also going to have to learn how to repair it and how to maintain it. So that's one example of how technology is opening doors to new jobs in the future. Another example is on the digital side, the digital transformation.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:23:05]:
And we're seeing more and more how the supply chain is relying on technology to be able to put push out data that every partner in the supply chain needs in order to make real time decisions on what equipment they're going to need. I'll just break it down for you, for you and your audience. When a ship comes and those containers are discharged from that ship, the shipper and their trucking company have to book an appointment to know when that container is going to be ready. Well, believe it or not, up until just a few years ago, they didn't know when that ship was coming and they didn't know when that container was going to be removed from the ship. So that makes it incredibly hard for someone to tell their trucking company, I need you to go to the port on this day, at this time to pick up that specific container. So we're using technology to make that data, that information available. And here in Long beach we developed, we call it the supply chain information highway. And it's our attempt of helping the broader supply chain be able to share information, be able to share critical data so that they can make better decisions and optimize their operations.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:24:11]:
Fantastic, fantastic things. We didn't know. Right. I mean, even being in this arena of workforce development and practicing it every single day and being a part of these conversations, that was a piece I didn't know. Right. And so I appreciate you sharing that because it helps us prepare for the future of work and. And even our own respective programming as a community college, as a single community college, or as a system of community colleges. Now, this is my favorite question for our guests all the time.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:24:40]:
And I know we're coming close to time, so I want to be thoughtful about what we leave our listener with. And if you could leave our listener with one key idea about ports and their role in shaping the future of Los Angeles, what would it be?
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:24:55]:
In one sentence, goods movement Is the economy in motion. Support your port and your port will take care of you.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:03]:
Drop the mic.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:25:05]:
That was perfect.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:07]:
That was amazing. Yes, absolutely. I mean, you couldn't have said anybody. I love it, I love it, I love it. And finally, listen, if someone would like to get in contact with you or be a part of the momentum there at the port, what's the best way that they can be in contact with you? When we enter these in the show notes.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:25:22]:
Absolutely. Happy to offer. My email address is Hasegaba. You can also look me up in LinkedIn and I would be more than happy to connect with you and your audience and continue the conversation one on one.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:37]:
Excellent. Thank you so much again for your time. Appreciate it very, very much. Incredibly grateful. Have a wonderful day and I'm sure we'll reconnect again shortly in the Future.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba [00:25:47]:
Thanks again, Dr. Kumo. Always appreciate the opportunity. Take care.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:50]:
You're very welcome. You're very welcome.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:54]:
Thank you for listening to the Future of Work podcast. Make sure you're subscribed on your favorite listening platform so you can easily get new episodes every Tuesday. You can reach out to us by clicking on the website link below in the show notes to collaborate, partner, or.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:26:10]:
Just chat about all things Future of Work.
Salvatrice Cummo [00:26:12]:
We'd love to connect with you. All of us here at the Future of Work and Pasadena City College wish you safety and wellness.