Dakota Chamberlain, the Port of Tacoma’s former engineering director, has been promoted to chief facilities development officer.

Thais Howard, a senior project manager, has been promoted to engineering director, becoming the first woman to lead the department.

The promotions were prompted by Sue Mauermann’s retirement at the end of October.

Before joining the Port in 2011, Chamberlain served as director of seaport management at the Port of Seattle, where he oversaw a large capital development program. Prior to the Port of Seattle, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration.

In his new position, Chamberlain oversees planning, engineering and environmental programs.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawaii and is a registered professional engineer in the states of Colorado and Washington.

Howard is responsible for directing the activities of the Port’s engineering department, which is designing and managing several road, rail and terminal improvements related to the Port’s aggressive 10-year strategic plan.

Before joining the Port in 2007, Howard worked for GLE Associates and The Walter Fedy Group in Florida, Williams-Sonoma in Tennessee and Westinghouse Electric Company in Utah.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University. She is a licensed professional engineer in Washington, Florida and Tennessee.

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.