(Nov. 17, 2007) -- Assistant City Auditor Alex Cherin is on the verge of being appointed the Port of LB's new Executive Officer, one of the highest staff positions at the Port. LB's Board of Harbor Commissioners has an item agendized by the Port's Director Human Resources requesting Nov. 19 Board approval for Mr. Cherin's appointment to the position of "Executive Secretary to the Board."

PoLB photo

In May 2006, Mr. Cherin, an attorney who practiced in int'l trade and maritime law issues for a LB law firm, was appointed Assistant City Auditor as one of the first actions by then Auditor-elect Laura Doud. In the April 2006 election cycle, Mr. Cherin ran for the 7th district Council seat, challenging incumbent Tonia Reyes Uranga, a race in which he was backed by (among others) the LB Area Chamber of Commerce.

In June 2007, Mr. Cherin was among the supporters (in photo with Ahmed Carl Saafir) of then-candidate, now Congresswoman Laura Richardson at her June 2007 victory party in Carson when she clinched the Dem nomination over Sen. Jenny Oropeza (and went on to a runoff win in August.) Cong. Richardson now holds a key committee post of prior incumbent Cong. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB), overseeing (among other things) Port-related legislation and public works projects: the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure...and its Subcommittee on Aviation, Highways and Transit, and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

The Port of LB's Executive Officer reports directly to Executive Director Richard Steinke (one of only two port positions to do so). The Port of LB describes the position as coordinating all administrative and communications functions for the Board, serving as a personal advisor on general issues, making recommendations on public policy issues and coordinating trade missions and conferences, among other duties. "The Executive Officer also ensures that all necessary legal requirements are followed in the execution of the Board’s orders," says a Port statement on its website.

Mr. Cherin is currently a Judge Pro Tem for the L.A. County Superior Court. In 2004, then-LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill appointed him to LB's "Economic Development Commission." He earned a Poli Sci B.A. at the U. of Michigan and a law degree from Loyola University.