LAX Leader

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced the nomination of Ed Harrington to the San Francisco Port Commission. Mr. Harrington is replacing outgoing Commissioner John Burton, who served from 2020 to 2023 and founded the Port Commission in 1968.   

The Port Commission is comprised of five members, each of whom is appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation by the City's Board of Supervisors. Each commissioner is appointed to a four-year term.  

“Ed Harrington is a model of public service and I am proud to nominate him to serve in the Port Commission,” said Mayor London Breed. “His experience in government and community, and his years of leadership will be an essential asset as the Port continues to play a central role in our economic recovery and our work to address climate change.”   

With decades of City experience, Harrington has served the City and County of San Francisco in many roles, including City Controller from 1991 to 2008 and later as the General Manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) from 2008 to 2012. During that time, he was also the President of the Government Finance Officers Association and a member of the Financial Accounting Foundation Board.   

“In the past, the Port was critical to San Francisco growing and thriving as a City. Today it is vital for tourism, housing, and economic development,” said Ed Harrington. “The Port is key to San Francisco’s future as we deal with climate change and sea level rise. I would be proud to be part of that story.”   

Since his retirement, Harrington has worked extensively with non-profit organizations, serving on the board of the National Children’s Funding Project and as an adviser to California’s Funding the Next Generation. Formerly, Harrington was the treasurer of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) and Greenpeace International for a several years. He also has taught at the University of San Francisco in the Master of Urban and Public Affairs program from 2015 to 2022.   

Ed is an advisor to the WaterNow Alliance, an organization of elected and appointed officials who oversee local utility agencies, focusing on financing green distributed water and wastewater infrastructure.  

The extensive waterfront managed by the Port of San Francisco is home to world-class destinations and attractions, historic districts, small businesses and many maritime opportunities.  

The San Francisco Port Commission is responsible for the seven and one-half miles of waterfront adjacent to San Francisco Bay, which the Port develops, markets, leases, administers, manages and maintains. The Port’s operating portfolio is composed of over 550 ground, commercial, retail, office, industrial and maritime industrial leases, including many, internationally recognized landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, PIER 39, the Ferry Building, and Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.  

Original source can be found here.