Dave Arian was born in 1946 in Los Angeles and grew up in the harbor area near Terminal Island. His father, known as "honest Lou," was a longshoreman and a significant influence on Arian's life. Arian began his career on the waterfront in 1969 and became involved in the labor movement, eventually serving as the international president of the union. He was elected president of Local 13 in 1984, a position he held for a significant period. His commitment to building future leadership marked Arian's involvement in the labor movement.

David Freeman is recognized for his leadership role as the president of the Port Commission in Los Angeles, a position he assumed without prior knowledge of the port's operations. His tenure is marked by a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and community relations. Freeman's initiatives include spearheading a cleanup program aimed at reducing the port's ecological footprint and fostering a more harmonious relationship with the surrounding community.

Oral history interview with Dennis McCarbery.   

Captain Don Taub was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Captain Taub, a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, provides insight into his career, including his role as Captain of the Port of Los Angeles, a position he held from 1976 until his retirement in 1982. Born in Lorain, Ohio, in 1932, Taub grew up in a steel mill and shipbuilding town, experiences that shaped his career in maritime and port operations.

Oral history interview with Emilei Noceti. 

Enrico Salvo, an Italian native born in 1927, immigrated to the United States in 1955. His initial encounter with San Pedro came through his role as a merchant marine officer, a position that paved the way for his eventual settlement in Los Angeles. In the bustling city, Salvo carved out a career in logistics and transportation, demonstrating his acumen in the field by acquiring the company he was employed with.

Eze Burt is recognized for his influential role as the former executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, a position through which he made significant contributions to the port's development and operations. His professional journey is marked by his tenure at one of the most critical maritime facilities in the United States, where he navigated complex political and economic landscapes. Burt's background reflects a deep understanding of the port's history and the intricacies of its management, shaped by the vision of influential figures such as Mayor Tom Bradley.

Francesca Giacalone is a long-time resident of San Pedro, California, with a rich personal history tied to the town's development and the broader historical events of the 20th century. Born and raised in San Pedro, her life was shaped by the town's transformation during World War Two, a period that saw San Pedro become a bustling hub due to its strategic harbor and shipyard. Giacalone's early years were marked by significant local events, such as the 1933 earthquake and the Long Shore dispute, which had a profound impact on her community.

Frank Herrara was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Born on February 17, 1925, in Sonora, Mexico, Herrara moved to the Harbor area of Los Angeles after being discharged from the Army at Fort MacArthur in 1946. He joined his family, who had relocated to Wilmington, California, where his father worked at Todd Shipyard. In the interview. Herrara provides a detailed account of his life and experiences, beginning with his early years in Mexico and his family’s move to the United States.

George De La Torre Jr. was born in 1935 in Wilmington, California. His father, of Mexican heritage, migrated from Mexico in the early 1920s with his family, initially settling in Arizona before moving to California. His grandfather worked for a railroad company. George’s mother, of Japanese descent, came to the United States with her parents, who established a small grocery store in Wilmington. During World War II, George's family temporarily lived with relatives in Los Angeles to avoid being sent to internment camps.