For Immediate Release
For More Information:
Carolyn Casey, Port Communications
(360) 676-2500
Port of Bellingham's Executive Director Announces Resignation
Jim Darling to Launch Bellingham Office of Northwest Consulting Firm
[Bellingham, Wash.] Jim Darling, Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham for 15 years, announced his resignation today. His resignation will take effect July 10.
Darling is taking a position as Vice President and Principal with the consulting firm Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. (MFA). MFA is a full-service planning, environmental, engineering, landscape architecture, GIS, and sustainability consulting firm with offices in Vancouver, Washington; Portland and Seattle. From a new Bellingham office, Darling will provide principal-level consulting across the firm's client base in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Nevada.
"I have had the good fortune to work with an incredibly talented staff at the Port," Darling said. "That has afforded the Port the ability to pursue a number of key initiatives to invest in this community's future. This next chapter in my career is a unique private sector opportunity to be involved in similar projects in a number of communities through-out the Northwest."
The Port's Board of Commissioners is expected to appoint an interim Executive Director at its June 2 meeting, while a search is conducted for a new leader.
"We've been fortunate to have Jim Darling as Executive Director for so many years," said Port Commissioner Jim Jorgensen. "His leadership moved the Port forward in many areas and he is leaving the Port in a strong financial and strategic position for the future. He should be credited for having the foresight to build an excellent staff that is capable of continuing to move these community projects forward."
Darling was hired by the Port in 1991 and was named the Executive Director in 1994. He has overseen growth and development in all areas of Port operations. During his tenure, the airport experienced growth in commercial air service as well as many airport capital improvements including the extension of the runway, the funding and construction of the air traffic control tower and improvements in passenger and parking facilities. Also under Darling's leadership, virtually all of the Port's marina facilities underwent reconstruction and moved to a user pay-based system that made the marinas self-supporting.
Darling spearheaded development of a robust real estate portfolio that currently employs some 3,357 in more than 200 leasehold interests. More recently Darling was instrumental in the 2005 acquisition of the Georgia Pacific property and the creation of the planned mixed-use Waterfront District. Darling also led the creation of county-wide economic development efforts such as the Partnership for Sustainable Economy and oversaw development of waterfront parks and trails; and a host of special projects.
"The Port is in very good financial condition, it has solid tenants, an experienced staff, a dedicated Commission, and its facilities are in excellent condition," Darling said. "The Port is well positioned with recent agreements with the City of Bellingham on The Waterfront District; the extension of the Alaska ferry contract; and making it to the next round of competition to homeport NOAA's Pacific fleet."
Darling has been actively involved in State and Federal policy issues on behalf of the Port of Bellingham and all Washington ports, chairing numerous special and standing industry committees. He has spearheaded work for the Port industry on environmental matters and particularly State funding for community environmental clean-up projects. He has served on a number of gubernatorial committees, most recently the Puget Sound Partnership.
"During Jim's tenure, the Port has become recognized as a modern economic development and public asset management municipality for the benefit of the Port's citizen owners," said Commissioner Doug Smith. "Jim's exceptional leadership and managerial skills have been a major contributing factor toward the Port's mission accomplishments."
The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special-purpose government with 87 employees. It operates Whatcom County's major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
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