Chris Lytle

J. Christopher Lytle, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, California, was named to the Port’s top management position on November 14, 2011, by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the Port's five-member governing body.

A shipping industry veteran, Mr. Lytle served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2011, reporting to former Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. He joined the Port in September 2006 as one of four Managing Directors; he oversaw the Port’s Trade Relations and Port Operations Bureau, which includes the Communications, Trade Development, Security and Maintenance Divisions.

Before joining the Port, Mr. Lytle served as Vice President of West Coast Operations for the French-based shipping line CMA CGM, which has significant marine and terminal operations at the ports of Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle. Mr. Lytle has also held executive positions at P&O Ports North America, Denmark-based APM (Maersk) Terminals, and Sea-Land Service, Inc.

Mr. Lytle has been affiliated with several associations serving the maritime industry, including the Pacific Maritime Association, where he served as Alternate Director, and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, where he was on the Board of Directors. He has also served as a Director for the Steamship Association of Southern California and the Propeller Club of Los Angeles and Long Beach. He now serves as a Director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, as a member of the Executive Committee for the Center for International Trade and Transportation, and as a Director on the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Board.

Mr. Lytle holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Puget Sound and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University. He served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army and has traveled extensively in his various maritime industry positions to overseas destinations including Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Mr. Lytle, his wife, Stephanie, and their three sons live in Los Alamitos, California.