Meet The PORT Executive Team
Kristine A. Zortman | Executive Director
Kristine A. Zortman is the Executive Director of the Port of Redwood City where she is responsible for implementing long-range organizational goals and policies for the seventh largest port in California.
While serving in this role, Zortman has spearheaded several key initiatives that have positioned south San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port for long-term success. This includes developing the port’s first-ever strategic vision plan, which will guide the port’s development through 2025. The plan calls for maximizing land use, improving infrastructure, diversifying maritime and commercial business efforts, improving operations and protecting the environment – all with the overall goal of strengthening the port’s impact on the region’s economy and quality of life.
Zortman’s port experience also includes eight years at the Port of San Diego where she worked on commercial real estate negotiations for cargo and maritime trade growth. She also served as vice president of neighborhood investment for Civic San Diego, a non-profit economic development agency. She began her career working in the environmental and biological realms for the National Park Service and Heitman Financial, a real estate investment management firm in Los Angeles.
Zortman was named the 2021 Chamber San Mateo County’s Businesswoman of the Year; serves as president of the California Association of Port Authorities; and is a board member for the Bay Planning Coalition, California Marine Affairs & Navigation Conference, and the San Francisco Marine Exchange.
Her unique ability to navigate the complex intersection of public and private interests has led to the successful implementation of pioneering policies, including cost recovery initiatives, environmentally conscious practices and unique development opportunities.
She holds a degree in biology from George Mason University and has pursued graduate studies from the University of Utah and University of California Los Angeles.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.