Meet Harbor Board Commissioner Virginia Chang Kiraly
Representing San Mateo County residents since 2015
In November 2015, the San Mateo County Harbor District Board appointed me to their board to bring stability and good governance. As the board’s Vice President, I’ve brought my professional experience in finance, and a track record of leadership, fiscal oversight, and common-sense solutions in elected office.
Since my appointment, and with my financial and business background, I have driven the fiscal policy for the Harbor Board to fund the Surfer’s Beach Restoration/Harbor Dredge Project and the West Trail Shoreline Protection, successfully negotiate a fair contract with Harbor District employees, untangle and define enterprise funds and public funds for the Harbor District’s budget, pay down $2.3 million in pension liabilities, and retired $5.8 million in debt, making the Harbor District debt-free, while funding ADA upgrades to the public spaces at Pillar Point Harbor. When I was board President in 2018, the Harbor District entered into an agreement with South San Francisco supporting dock surveying and replacement to combat sea level rise and continued the collaborative partnership supporting ferry transportation at Oyster Point. 
As a former member of the San Mateo County Civil Grand jury, I am an advocate for good government and helped make the Harbor Board and Harbor District more accountable and transparent to taxpayers and provided leadership to have the Harbor Board comply with California’s Brown Act.
San Mateo County residents expect and deserve a stable, inclusive, and transparent harbor district. I’m proud of my record of ethical government and was honored when elected as board President during an unprecedented reorganization in late 2019. I want to continue bringing stability and leadership to the board, especially when COVID-19 has negatively impacted staff, tenants, and public access to our marinas. As a supporter of the Oyster Point Dragon Boat Team and the inclusion of women in the Mavericks surf competition, I also want to continue promoting diversity and community at the harbor district. |