Samara Ashley is the Director of Government Relations for the Port of Long Beach, California. Appointed to the post in 2007, she is responsible for advising Port executives and the Harbor Commission on Port-related legislative issues and assists in the formulation of the Port’s legislative agenda.
Ms. Ashley is also the Port’s representative to federal, state and local governments. In this capacity, she oversees the activities of the Port’s legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Before joining the Port, she served as account executive with Los Angeles-based government and public relations firm Cerrell Associates Inc. Her clients included the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and the Southern California Association of Governments. Earlier in her career she worked on port and transportation issues as a district field representative in Long Beach for then-State Senator Betty Karnette.
Ms. Ashley is a member of a several industry associations, including the Women’s Transportation Seminar and the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce. She also serves with numerous nonprofit organizations.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s degree in public policy, international relations and American politics from Pepperdine University.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. Each year, trade valued at more than $140 billion moves through the Port of Long Beach, supporting more than 316,000 Southern California jobs. And with a Green Port Policy guiding all efforts, the Port is a catalyst for innovative programs that protect the environment.
Fun Fact: I love traveling!