He replaces lawyer Amador Garcia, who served one term on the port commission and who was credited by a colleague with being instrumental in negotiating the port's progress in international trade. The Nueces County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Wednesday to add Gonzalez, a lawyer, and reappoint Norwest Bank vice president Yolanda Olivarez to the seven-member port commission. The county has four port appointments and the city has three.
Commissioners serve three-year terms.
The unanimous decision was made after 45 minutes of discussion in closed session, said County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz. Garcia had served one term. Port Commission Chairman Bill Dodge and Commissioner Mark Hulings are the county's other two appointees. They serve with commissioners Ruben Bonilla, Bernard Paulson and Kenneth Berry, appointed by the city. Gonzalez said he wants to increase the efficiency of port operations.