Former City Councilman Neal is elected president of harbor commission

Former Long Beach City Councilman and minister Steven Neal, now on the Long Beach harbor commission, will spend the next year as the president for that five-member panel, which sets policy for the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second busiest, and oversees the city’s

Harbor Department staff.

Neal’s fellow commissioners tapped him this week to take on the role of president until this time next year, succeeding outgoing President Frank Colonna, who nominated Neal for the post; Neal served as the commission’s vice president last year.

The commission’s five members are each appointed to six-year terms on the panel and the leadership posts rotate annually among themselves. They elected new officers at commission’s regular meeting on Monday.

Commissioner Sharon Weissman was elected vice president and Robert Olvera was elected secretary.

Colonna and Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal will serve jointly as assistant secretary.

Mayor Robert Garcia appointed Neal, a former Ninth District councilman, two years ago to fill the commission seat vacated by Lori Ann Guzman. During this time on the commission, Neal has represented the Port of Long Beach on national and international trade missions.

Neal was on the City

Council from 2010 to 14 and ran unsuccessfully for a state Assembly seat.

He has served on the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network Board and is also senior pastor for LIFE Gospel Ministries,5239 Atlantic Ave., in Long Beach.

Colonna replaced Lowenthal as president last year.