Kristine A. Zortman is the executive director of the Port of Redwood City. She is responsible for implementing long-range organizational goals and policies for the seventh-largest port in California.
While serving in this role, Zortman has spearheaded several key initiatives that have positioned South San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port for long-term success. This includes developing the port’s first-ever strategic vision plan, which will guide the port’s development through 2025. The plan calls for maximizing land use, improving infrastructure, diversifying maritime and commercial business efforts, improving operations, and protecting the environment – all to strengthen the port’s impact on the region’s economy and quality of life.
Zortman’s port experience also includes eight years at the Port of San Diego where she worked on commercial real estate negotiations for cargo and maritime trade growth. She also served as vice president of neighborhood investment for Civic San Diego, a non-profit economic development agency. She began her career working in the environmental and biological realms for the National Park Service and Heitman Financial, a real estate investment management firm in Los Angeles.
Zortman was named the 2021 Chamber San Mateo County’s Businesswoman of the Year; serves as vicepresident of the California Association of Port Authorities; and is a board member for the Bay Planning Coalition, California Marine Affairs & Navigation Conference, and the San Francisco Marine Exchange.
Her unique ability to navigate the complex intersection of public and private interests has led to the
successful implementation of pioneering policies, including cost recovery initiatives, environmentally
conscious practices and unique development opportunities.
She holds a degree in biology from George Mason University and has pursued graduate studies at the University of Utah and the University of California Los Angeles.
