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Meet The PORT Executive Team
Kristine A. Zortman | Executive Director
Appointed as the Port’s Executive Director in July 2018, Kristine A. Zortman is a 25-year port, maritime and commercial real estate veteran. Zortman comes to the Port of Redwood City from San Diego, having served as the vice president of Civic San Diego, a non-profit economic development agency, and as a principal at the Port of San Diego.
During her 8-year tenure at the Port of San Diego, Zortman’s emphasis included commercial real estate transactions where she negotiated long-term leases focused on cargo and maritime business development. Her career has spanned both the private and public sector, including six years with Lennar Communities focused on land acquisition and several years’ experience overseeing environmental project management for real estate investment trusts.
Zortman’s successful collaborations with boards, strong community and business partnerships, and experience managing successful internal teams elevate the Port’s success as it continues to focus on economic development, transportation and community building initiatives.
Zortman holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Mason University and completed graduate studies work from University of Utah and the University of California Los Angeles with an emphasis in Hazardous Materials Management.
She serves as board member on the California Association of Port Authorities, the California Marine and Navigation Conference, Bay Planning Coalition, the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region, as well as her involvement in other port and industry organizations.
Christie Coats | Director of Operations
As the Director of Operations, Christie Coats will guide the Port's strategic vision for the Port's operations, including leading the Port's cargo operations, capital improvement projects and managing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and security grant programs.
Coats most recently served as the General Manager of Maritime and Asset Management at the Port of New Orleans overseeing the real estate, cruise and operations departments. She previously served as the Director of Operations and Real Estate, overseeing the real estate assets and leases for the maritime and industrial properties.
Coats also served as a Senior Manager for the Port of San Diego where she negotiated and administered the Port’s maritime real estate assets, projects and agreements, including staff and resources for maritime properties on the San Diego Bay.
Coats received her MBA from Pepperdine University and is an alumna of the University of California, Riverside.
Rajesh C. Sewak | Director of Finance
and Administration
In September of 2014, Rajesh C. Sewak joined the Port of Redwood City as manager of finance and administration after spending the last nine years with the City of Redwood City's Finance Department.
Sewak joined the City of Redwood City in March 2005 as a revenue services manager and senior accountant after 18 years in industry, during which he held various positions with Qantas Airways Limited, Western Multiplex Corp, Care on-Call, Inc., and Loncar Enterprises Inc.
He earned his MBA in finance at Golden Gate University and his BS in accounting and finance from San Francisco State University.
Sewak and his wife and two daughters live in San Mateo.