Kristin Decas

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CEO/Port Director

Port of Hueneme

A proven leader, Kristin Decas repeatedly demonstrates her ability to build vision and implement strategy through open, collaborative processes that foster results. 

Since beginning her tenure with the Port of Hueneme in February 2012, the Port has realized several successes. Tonnage totals reached significant new milestones with cargo growing from 1.3 million tons in FY 2012 to over 1.6 million tons in FY 2018, marking the Port’s strongest sustained trade years since its inception in 1937. With cargo up 23% since Kristin took the helm in 2012, revenues have grown an impressive 42%. Known for its niche in automobiles, bananas imports, fresh fruit, fertilizer, high and heavy, and project cargo, Port of Hueneme trade related activities generate $1.7 billion in annual economic impacts, a more than double jump since 2013. Trade related activity spurs 15,834 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs and $119 million in tax revenues, increases of 55% and 123% respectively over 2013 performance. Most recent successes include securing a $3.3 million California Air Resources Board grant for zero emission equipment and infrastructure, a $12.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER), and a $1.5 million federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant. Over $45 million in infrastructure improvements are advancing on Kristin’s watch, including at berth shoreside power plug-ins for refrigerated cargo ships and a harbor deepening project that will also re-nourish local beaches. Kristin championed the first annual Port Banana Festival, drawing over 12,000 visitors to the Port.

Prior to serving the Port of Hueneme, Kristin served as CEO and Port Director for the Port of New Bedford, MA, the nation’s number one value fishing port. Under her leadership, the Port realized significant growth in port development, cruise and recreational boating activity. 

Kristin is recognized by Trade Administration officials for her impressive work in leveraging economic development through international trade promotion, and for her service on several federal shipping and port committees. Mrs. Decas currently serves as the President of the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) representing California’s 11 deep water ports, providing educational leadership and advocacy on issues related to transportation, trade, the environment, land use, energy and other subjects affecting port operations. Kristin was awarded high-profile appointments by the U.S. Department of Transportation to both the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). In 2015, Kristin served as the national Chairperson of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade association representing more than 130 public port authorities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. 

Kristin was the first woman to lead both the Port of New Bedford in its more than 50-year history and the Port of Hueneme in its 82-year history. She was the 4th woman to chair the Association of American Port Authorities in its 106 years. In her most recent recognition she was named a Woman of the Year Award Recipient by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assembly Member Monique Limón for Senate District 19. She was also named 2019 General Manager of the Year by Ventura County Special Districts Association. Kristin has been recognized as one the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, receiving the editor’s choice award in 2015. In 2017, Kristin was named Maritime Executive of the Year at the Green Shipping Summit USA, acknowledged as Top Port Director of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), and in November of that year, was named Outstanding Woman of the Year in International Trade by Women in Transportation - Los Angeles Chapter (WIT-LA). Kristin also made the list for the Pacific Coast Business Times 2017 “Who’s Who” in Business Leadership. In 2016, Kristin was recognized by World Wide Branding as a Top Female Executive. Kristin received Woman of the Year by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce in 2014. 

Kristin also supports her community by serving on the Dignity Health Ventura County Community Board, and on the Habit for Humanity Ventura County Advisory Board. She lives in Oxnard, CA with her husband, and is the proud mother of two daughters.

Alan Jaeger

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Office of Research and Technology Applications Manager

Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division

Mr. Alan Jaeger serves as the Office of Research and Technology Applications Manager (ORTA) for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division.  In this position, he is the Commanding Officer's primary point of contact between the Command and academic and industry institutions for partnerships and collaboration initiatives.  He is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic partnerships that facilitate the innovation and collaboration that accelerates the transfer of technologies necessary to meet the emerging and evolving needs of the fleet and warfighter.  Specifically, Alan administers non-Federal Acquisition agreements, partnership intermediary agreements, collaborative research and development agreements and educational partnership agreements.



       Prior to this position, Alan spent 8 years as the Principal Investigator and Director for an operational research and field experimentation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School where his research was focused on technologies and tactics that assist in countering asymmetric threats to commerce, critical infrastructure and national security.  This included the applications, threat and detection of small unmanned aircraft systems, port and maritime security as well as environmental and natural resource applications.



    Alan has worked in the technology industry for the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as the academic and private sector.  His work has taken him around the Globe and provided him with a unique perspective on organizational interfaces, technology development and deployment and information sharing.   He received his Masters of Business Administration from California Lutheran University and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Santa Barbara and is DAWIA Level III certified in Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering.

Bruce Stenslie

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President/CEO

Economic Development Collaborative

Bruce Stenslie has 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC).

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Prior to joining EDC, Stenslie served as Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association, Workforce Policy Director for the City of Los Angeles, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board.

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In 2013 Stenslie was elected by his peers as Chair of the California Association for Local Economic Development. 

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Stenslie is a Governor’s appointee to the California Workforce Development Board and serves in leadership positions for several state and local organizations, including California Forward, the California Stewardship Network, California Statewide CDC, California Small Manufacturers Health and Welfare Trust, Pacific Coast Broadband Consortium, First 5 Ventura County, Ventura County P-20 Council and the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. 

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Stenslie is a frequently invited speaker on policy and practice relating to workforce and economic development and the economic condition of Ventura County.