Dina Aryan-Zahlan, chief harbour engineer, has been named WTS-Los Angeles 2022 Woman of the Year. The award recognises a female leader in the transportation field who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, and directly contributed to the advancement of women and minorities through programmes or opportunities in the transportation field.

Tony Gioiello, deputy executive director of development, earned the WTS-Los Angeles 2022 Honorable Ray LaHood Award. The award recognises a man who has sought out opportunities to advance and advocate for women in the workplace, and actively ensure that women are able to compete for key positions of authority within their own organisation.

“Leading by example, both Dina and Tony have paved the way for advancing women in the workplace and promoting gender diversity in the transportation field,” said Gene Seroka, executive director, Port of Los Angeles. “Because of their leadership and commitment, women now represent 30% of the professional engineering workforce at the Port of Los Angeles. We are proud to join with WTS in honouring and recognising these two exemplary executives.”

Appointed chief harbour engineer in 2022, Aryan-Zahlan oversees the day-to[1]day activities of the port’s Engineering Division, responsible for the planning and design of port infrastructure and facilities that support a wide variety of operations at the port complex. She joined the port as a construction manager in 2000, was promoted to harbour engineer chief of design in 2003, and to assistant chief harbour engineer in 2015.

Gioiello oversees approximately 450 employees in the Engineering, Construction, Construction and Maintenance, and Goods Movement divisions. Gioiello was promoted to deputy executive director of development in 2015 after serving as the port’s chief harbour engineer for 12 years. He had previously led various sections within the port’s engineering division. Gioiello began his career at the port in 1980 as a student engineer.

WTS-Los Angeles is one of the largest chapters of WTS International, a 6,500-strong global organisation dedicated to the advancement of women in transportation, and to creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable transportation industry through the advancement of women.

The mission of WTS is to attract, retain and advance women in transportation, and promote gender diversity opportunities.