Knatz began working as a Marine Environmental Specialist at the Port of Los Angeles. In 1981, she moved to head the environmental office at the Port of Long Beach. She served as the Director of Planning for the Port of Long Beach from 1988 to 1999 and was promoted to the position of Managing Director in 1999. Subsequently, she served as the Executive Director at the Port of Los Angeles from 2006 to 2014. She was the first woman to be appointed Chief Executive of the Port of Los Angeles. She made a significant impact on the port region through the development and implementation of the first San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), and the Clean Truck Program. The clean truck program banned non-compliant trucks from access to the port, a right that she helped in defending in the U.S. Supreme Court."Dame of the Docks" Geraldine Knatz, who runs the Port of Los Angeles, wants it busier, cleaner and more secure By Deborah Schock. Los Angeles Magazine, March 1, 2010.
