Commissioners today selected interim Executive Director John Wolfe as their top candidate from among five finalists for the permanent job to lead the Port of Tacoma.
The other finalists considered for the chief executive officer position included:
- Brian Boyle, a former PortsAmerica executive
- Bernard Groseclose, former CEO of South Carolina State Ports Authority
- Ned LaGoy, an executive with Sea Star Shipping in Puerto Rico
- Ali Nikkhoo, a former shipping line and trucking company executive
Wolfe has served as the deputy executive director of the Port of Tacoma since June 2005. Prior to joining the Port of Tacoma, he served for two years as the executive director of the Port of Olympia, and before that as Olympia's director of operations and marine terminal general manager.
Wolfe also spent 10 years with Maersk Sealand/APM Terminals in Tacoma, most recently as the terminal's operations manager.
A native of Puyallup, Wash., Wolfe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University in 1987.
Shey-Harding Associates, of California, was hired in March to find a permanent replacement for former Executive Director Tim Farrell, who left the top job at the end of 2009. Wolfe stepped in Jan. 1 to serve as interim executive director.
The job attracted 59 applicants. Commissioners narrowed the field to five finalists during a May 27 public work session.
The five finalists toured the Port, met with customers, community members and employees at a reception at Port headquarters, and interviewed with commissioners earlier this week.
“This process included an outreach program to employees, customers and community,” said Commission President Don Johnson. “Information from the outreach program was extremely valuable in the search process. The uniformity of comments was impressive and the commission extends a special thank you to those that participated.”
I’m more than willing to bet my future on John,” Johnson said. “I’m very confident with this decision.”
The commissioners and Shey-Harding will begin negotiations soon with Wolfe on a contract for the permanent position.
The commission meeting is available for online viewing.
About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.
Contact: Tara Mattina, Port of Tacoma, (253) 428-8674