Full Name
Paul Blank
Job Title
Harbormaster
Company
City of Newport Beach
Speaker Bio
Frequently seen racing large and small sailboats in Newport Harbor and throughout Southern California, Paul Blank has been part of the harbor community since he completed City of Newport Beach recreation department sailing lessons in 1975. That early introduction to sailing has led to a lifetime passion for boating.
Paul served as the IT Executive for several consumer products brands. He also owned the well-regarded and successful Casa Laguna Inn and Spa in Laguna Beach. Among many accolades during his ownership, the hotel took gold and silver medals in two culinary competitions.
Paul’s professional strengths and experience include formulating the vision and design for dozens of technology innovations in the real estate, hospitality and consumer products industries. Paul is particularly skilled at the education, motivation and communication of that vision to leaders, colleagues and new team members.
Paul earned a BA in Psychology with an emphasis in Chemistry from UCLA.
Paul served the City of Newport Beach as a Harbor Commissioner from 2012 through 2020. He served on the Special Events Advisory Committee for a year before that. Since 1994 he has also served on the Board and is a past Board Chair of the Linden Center, a Psychiatric clinic, school and residential facility in Los Angeles. He was recently elected to serve on the Marineros Board of the Catalina Island Conservancy.
As a Harbor Commissioner Paul served as Chair for two terms and led the ad hoc Committee reviewing Paddle Board Safety in the harbor. Additionally, he led the ad hoc committee which developed recommendations on existing and potential new Public Piers. He has also been a driving force behind the recent Public Outreach efforts of the Commission and led efforts to develop a long-term vision for the harbor.
On his application to become a Harbor Commissioner, he wrote:
I have a genuine interest in maintaining and sustaining the harbor as the center of culture for Newport Beach. Not unlike Sydney Australia, a city in which I have also been privileged to live and work, our harbor is inextricably woven into what makes Newport the special place it is.
Paul became the City of Newport Harbormaster in May 2021. His focus is on keeping Newport Harbor clean, safe, and well-enjoyed.
In 2022 Paul served as the Centennial Commodore of the Balboa Yacht Club
Paul served as the IT Executive for several consumer products brands. He also owned the well-regarded and successful Casa Laguna Inn and Spa in Laguna Beach. Among many accolades during his ownership, the hotel took gold and silver medals in two culinary competitions.
Paul’s professional strengths and experience include formulating the vision and design for dozens of technology innovations in the real estate, hospitality and consumer products industries. Paul is particularly skilled at the education, motivation and communication of that vision to leaders, colleagues and new team members.
Paul earned a BA in Psychology with an emphasis in Chemistry from UCLA.
Paul served the City of Newport Beach as a Harbor Commissioner from 2012 through 2020. He served on the Special Events Advisory Committee for a year before that. Since 1994 he has also served on the Board and is a past Board Chair of the Linden Center, a Psychiatric clinic, school and residential facility in Los Angeles. He was recently elected to serve on the Marineros Board of the Catalina Island Conservancy.
As a Harbor Commissioner Paul served as Chair for two terms and led the ad hoc Committee reviewing Paddle Board Safety in the harbor. Additionally, he led the ad hoc committee which developed recommendations on existing and potential new Public Piers. He has also been a driving force behind the recent Public Outreach efforts of the Commission and led efforts to develop a long-term vision for the harbor.
On his application to become a Harbor Commissioner, he wrote:
I have a genuine interest in maintaining and sustaining the harbor as the center of culture for Newport Beach. Not unlike Sydney Australia, a city in which I have also been privileged to live and work, our harbor is inextricably woven into what makes Newport the special place it is.
Paul became the City of Newport Harbormaster in May 2021. His focus is on keeping Newport Harbor clean, safe, and well-enjoyed.
In 2022 Paul served as the Centennial Commodore of the Balboa Yacht Club
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