Morro Bay’s former city manager has been hired as the interim harbor manager at Port San Luis, replacing the long-time manager whose contract was not renewed.
Andrea Lueker was unanimously hired by the PSL Board of Directors at a recent meeting, signing a 6-month contract to act as interim, as a search is conducted for a permanent manager.
Lueker said in a recent news article that she will be applying for the permanent position, as well.
Outgoing manager, Steve McGrath, said in a newsletter, “On a personal note, I have known Andrea for many years, like and respect her and value her experience from the local, through the state to the federal advocacy levels. She has been a powerful voice for the fishing industry, most recently as the Executive Director of the Morro Bay Community Quota fund.
“I know that I leave the port in very capable hands, I wish her the very best, and I trust that you all will introduce yourselves if you get the chance, and offer her the support you have offered to me and the District over the years. There are bright days ahead!”
The Board decided in August not to renew McGrath’s contract and began a search for an interim manager. According to a staff report they got several applications and resumes from people interested in the harbor manager job and “Of these potential candidates, your Board determined the most qualified applicant is Andrea Lueker, and the Board directed staff and legal counsel to negotiate terms and conditions of employment.”
Lueker will be paid more than $9,300 a month for a total of some $112,000 a year. That’s less than the $121,000 the Board was paying McGrath. With that change and the 6-month time limit, her contract also makes her an “at-will” employee instead of under a contract as McGrath was.
Lueker agreed if hired to resign from the Community Quota Fund job as of Nov. 11. She started work at PSL on Oct. 27. She will also continue to teach a night class at Cal Poly twice a week until that contract ends in December. Neither overlap is expected to cause her to give less than her full attention to the District job.
Lueker came to Morro Bay out of Colorado State University starting as a lifeguard with the City in 1988. She worked her way up through the City serving as recreation and parks director, assistant city manager and city manager for nearly 8 years before being forced to resign in January 2013.
