AltaSea: Beacon – Special Edition – February 2, 2018

AltaSea Readies Next Stage of Growth, Names McOsker CEO

Prominent Los Angeles attorney and civic leader Tim McOsker has been named as AltaSea’s CEO by the Board of Trustees, effective February 1, 2018.

McOsker’s appointment brings to the organization a highly respected executive and legal mind with long experience in the kinds of land-development agreements, partnerships, program building, and other business deals expected to be a major part of AltaSea activities this year as it moves into a new stage of development and expansion.

McOsker already had significant ties to AltaSea before his appointment, having represented the organization in critical lease renegotiations with the Port of Los Angeles last fall. Jenny Krusoe, who has been AltaSea’s executive director since 2015, will continue in that role.

“In 2017, AltaSea had a remarkable string of successes that built a powerful foundation for our next stage of development,” said AltaSea Board Chairman Camilla Townsend. “In 2018, with Tim as CEO, AltaSea will aggressively move forward on complicated issues such as signing additional tenants, finalizing major operating partnerships, taking control of additional parcels and beginning their development and remediation. Tim brings decades of hands-on experience in this kind of work and we’re thrilled that he has agreed to join AltaSea as CEO.”

Among other 2017 achievements, AltaSea partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor, Dr. Bob Ballard’s Ocean Exploration Trust, Catalina Sea Ranch, Blue Robotics and Los Angeles Maritime Institute to offer STEM workshops for middle and high schoolers. AltaSea also launched work on the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator, and secured several million dollars in foundation and government grants as well as hundreds of community contributions.

Tenant partners such as the Ocean Exploration Trust, The Longest Swim, and Catalina Sea Ranch rely on deep-water access along AltaSea’s 6,600 linear feet of wharf as a crucial part of their operations.

For 2018, the AltaSea board’s goals include raising more than $11 million, taking possession of several additional parcels, implementing a business plan to generate more tenant revenue, and finalizing a next-stage partnership with the Southern California Marine Institute, a research consortium of 23 major universities, colleges, and, foundations in Southern California.

McOsker’s background in real estate and municipal law will be invaluable for AltaSea in this next phase, as it begins more fully realizing the vision of transforming one of the port’s oldest areas into a thriving center for ocean-oriented STEM education, science research and sustainable business incubation.

“AltaSea has achieved so much in the past few years, bringing together high-profile partners and tenants, securing major grants, and building a reputation as a visionary organization,” said McOsker. “AltaSea is a complete game changer for San Pedro and our surrounding community and will usher in our region’s tech-based future. Now we need to build the organizational infrastructure for an efficient, sustainable, cost-effective operation that can realize all of AltaSea’s great promise.”

As CEO, McOsker will oversee contracts, leases, land deals, and partnership negotiations. Krusoe will focus on fundraising, grants, external communications, special events and long-term vision, and work closely with McOsker on areas such as budget, board relations and organizational planning. She will oversee day-to-day operations.

Krusoe said she had initiated a search for a talented, highly respected executive skilled in the kinds of contracting and growth activities that will dominate the organization’s focus in coming months. In turn, the new structure allows Krusoe to focus on her strengths.

McOsker has served the city of Los Angeles and Southern California in a variety of public leadership roles, including as chief of staff for former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and as Hahn’s chief deputy city attorney.

McOsker will continue to serve clients as a partner at Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP, where he is Co-Chair of the Government and Regulatory Law Department. His deep experience in land use, environmental issues, permitting, municipal law and contracts for a variety of public and private clients make him well-suited for the AltaSea leadership role. 

McOsker, a life-long San Pedro resident and father of five, is chairman of the board of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and a board member of Harbor Interfaith Services. He also has been heavily involved in development efforts for the University of Notre Dame, his alma mater.