Port of Tacoma commissioners have narrowed their search for a new executive director to five finalists who will be interviewed in June.
The finalists were chosen late last week at a meeting with the port's executive search consultant Sue Dvonch from California-based Shey Harding and Associates. The candidates are vying for the position vacated by Tim Farrell, who left the port at the end of 2009. Commissioners said they hope to fill the position by the end of June.
The candidates in alphabetical order are:
Brian Boyle, former vice president for operational excellence and engineering for Ports America. Boyle worked for Ports America for two years until 2009. He previously worked for Marine Terminals Corporation where he was the vice president of operations, regional general manager for Northern California, operations manager for Southern California, and Oakland terminal manager.
Port Commissioner Clare Petrich recommended Boyle as a finalist, and his selection was endorsed unanimously by other commissioners. Commissioner Don Meyer said he was particularly impressed by Boyle's involvement in "multiple hundred million" dollar terminal capital plans and his technological knowledge. Boyle is a graduate of the California Maritime Academy and was a ships officer for two years.
Bernard Groseclose, Jr., former president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Groseclose worked for the port authority for 11 years in positions ranging from manager of business analysis to director of planning and development before he took over the top spot in 1996.
Groseclose left the South Carolina Ports in January, 2009, shortly after the port's top customer, Maersk Line, announced that it was leaving the Port of Charleston for other nearby ports. Later that year, after Groseclose was replaced by a new executive director, Maersk Line signed a new, five-year agreement with the Port of Charleston.
In making her recommendation, Dvonch said Groseclose was "well regarded by the organization," and had significant high-level port experience, including experience in working for an appointed port commission.
Ned LaGoy, vice president and general manager of Puerto Rico for Sea Star Line. LaGoy joined Sea Star in 2006 as assistant vice president of field sales, and previously held executive level positions with Hyundai Merchant Marine, Horizon Lines and Sea-Land. Prior responsibilities included sales, operations, customer service and administration.
Dvonch said she is particularly impressed by LaGoy's community involvement in Puerto Rico and elsewhere, and noted that he had an MBA and is "well-suited for a port organization."
Ali Nikkhoo of Orange County. Nikkhoo was the president and owner of Honor Truck and Transfer in Long Beach before he sold the company. In addition, he has held senior management positions at Sea-Land Service and Sea-Land Logistics.
Dvonch said Nikkhoo has the "most well-rounded background," having worked all over the world for both maritime and trucking interests. Nikkhoo is an engineer and speaks several languages.
John Wolfe, the interim executive director for the Port of Tacoma. Wolfe was the port's deputy executive director from June 2005 until the end of 2009, when he stepped into the top spot on a temporary basis.
In recommending him as a finalist, Dvonch noted that interviews with port employees indicate that Wolfe is well regarded as a strong leader and has done a good job as interim executive director. He "brings exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills" to the job, she said.
Prior to joining the Port of Tacoma, Wolfe served for two years as the executive director of the Port of Olympia, where he previously worked as director of operations and marine terminal general manager. Wolfe also spent 10 years with Maersk/Sealand and the APM Terminal in Tacoma, where he eventually rose to operations manager.
-- The Cunningham Report
