Mayor Lurie Appoints Michael Martin As Executive Director Of Port Of San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today appointed Michael Martin as executive director of the Port of San Francisco, elevating a leader with nearly three decades of experience in San Francisco government and real estate expertise. Currently the Port’s acting executive director, Martin has worked at the department for nearly a decade as it has undertaken transformational projects along the northern waterfront and as new neighborhoods have emerged along the eastern waterfront.

Martin’s appointment represents the continuation of Mayor Lurie’s work to make San Francisco welcoming for families and visitors, with the port’s major attractions and robust housing construction. The city is on track to set new records for tourism in 2026, with more visitors coming to the Ferry Building and vibrant new public space coming to Fisherman’s Wharf that will help build on that progress. Mayor Lurie has taken steps to build new homes in the city’s eastern waterfront neighborhoods, opening affordable homes in Mission Bay and launching an effort to build additional affordable homes in the East Cut. With additional public space upgrades and cultural activations in those neighborhoods, Mayor Lurie and the Port are building on the Family Opportunity Agenda by working to make the city’s waterfront inviting to San Francisco families.

“Our port is entering its next chapter, and it needs a leader who has turned ambitious ideas into new neighborhoods, public spaces, businesses, and experiences for our residents and visitors. That's why I'm appointing Mike Martin as the Port's new executive director,” said Mayor Lurie. “San Francisco's waterfront is a gathering place for residents, a front door for visitors, and a postcard image for the world. And as it continues to evolve, new parks, housing, businesses, cultural spaces, and major events are creating new reasons for people to be here.”

“We are entering an exciting and transformational time at the Port, and I am truly honored to step into this new role and meet that challenge,” said Martin. “The port has a played a vital role in the city’s economic and social health throughout San Francisco’s history. As it has in the past, the Port continues to help the city meet the moment with our steady cruise business supporting the tourism economy, strong demand for our diverse and vibrant real estate portfolio, and growing variety of arts and activation opportunities in our parks and open spaces. I look forward to expanding our partnerships with communities along the waterfront and citywide to deliver even more from this special place where the city meets the Bay.”

In recent years, the Port has seen strong growth across its maritime operations and real estate offerings—with ferry ridership exceeding pre-pandemic levels, cruise activity driving $77 million in annual regional economic impact, new office leases on Port property covering 120,000 square feet, and sales in the district growing 20% year over year with four new Fisherman’s Wharf retail leases. In 2025, the Port welcomed roughly 370,000 cruise passengers and nearly 90 vessel calls—up from 357,000 passengers and 82 calls in 2024. The department is also undertaking critical resiliency project planning and construction that will ensure the waterfront, and its critical regional and citywide assets, are strengthened against seismic and sea level rise hazards for future generations.

The Port oversees 7.5 miles of waterfront, stretching from Fisherman’s Wharf to Heron’s Head Park. In his role, Martin will lead the Port’s efforts to grow its maritime and real estate portfolios and deliver recreation, job, and community-building opportunities through strong public-private and interagency partnerships.

“As a longtime colleague of Mike Martin’s from the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, I know he has the experience and vision to lead an agency with an outsized role to play in our city’s future,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “I look forward to partnering with him to ensure the Port of San Francisco continues to drive economic growth, facilitate housing production, and expand public access to our cherished waterfront.” 

“With Director Martin’s leadership, San Francisco is poised to continue to have a world-class waterfront,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “With his years of experience and track record of results, Mike Martin knows the importance of balancing open space, maritime industries, and critical tourism uses along the port.” 

“Mike understands that our greatest responsibility is not simply to preserve San Francisco's waterfront, but to ensure it continues to serve future generations as an engine of opportunity, resilience, innovation, and public trust,” said Stephen Engblom, Vice President, Port Commission. “Building on the Port's strong foundation, I believe he will inspire our team, cultivate new partnerships across government, business, labor, philanthropy, academia, and the maritime community, and position the Port not only as the steward of one of the world's great urban waterfronts, but as a platform for economic opportunity, maritime innovation, environmental leadership, and shared prosperity for all San Franciscans.”

“Michael Martin’s appointment as the new director of the Port of San Francisco is excellent news for Fisherman’s Wharf. We've swiftly come to value and respect Mike's vision and contribution to the wharf, and we're grateful for his collaborative approach and understanding of the Port’s vital role in supporting the Wharf’s maritime heritage, visitor economy, and future success," said Bri Maughan, Executive Director, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. "Michael possesses the ideal qualities it takes to lead the Port into the future—vision, curiosity, intellectual and emotional intelligence, and a commitment to simultaneously honoring our waterfront heritage as well as the future success of San Francisco. We can't wait to work with him toward a bright and prosperous future."

Martin, who had been serving as acting executive director since October 2025, joined the Port in 2017 as deputy director for real estate and development before being promoted to assistant port director in 2020. Before joining the Port, he worked at the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, leading major public-private real estate and economic development partnerships like Mission Rock, Pier 48, the Southern Bayfront Strategy, and the 34th America’s Cup Regatta on San Francisco Bay—delivering new housing, jobs, and economic activity while supporting the Port’s working waterfront and the city’s broader economic recovery goals.

Martin previously held management roles at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and in the City Attorney’s Office. Before entering public service, Martin worked in private law practice, focusing on real estate asset management negotiations and municipal financing transactions. Martin earned his J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Notre Dame.