FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port of Bellingham Commission Selects Fred Seeger as Interim Executive Director
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Fred Seeger to serve as interim executive director.
"This will guarantee the continuity of operations of the Port," said Commission President Scott Walker. "We believe Fred has the experience, knowledge and leadership ability to continue to move the Port forward."
Seeger will assume the interim position immediately while the commissioners undertake a nationwide search for a permanent executive director.
Seeger replaces Jim Darling, who served as executive director for 15 years. Late last month, Darling announced his resignation to work as a vice president and principal for a Northwest consulting firm. During his final week at the Port, Darling will assist Seeger with the transition.
Seeger thanked the Commission for its support and said, "I am confident that we can successfully move the Port forward during this transition."
Seeger has worked as the Port's Facilities Director since he joined the Port in 1994. Prior to that, Seeger was the Manager of the Commercial Division of Christenson Engineering, now CH2M Hill. He moved to Bellingham in 1987 to become a Vice President and division manager of Wilder Construction, now Granite Construction. He earned a master degree in civil engineering and construction management from Purdue University.
Also at the meeting, the commission directed Human Resources Manager Larry Boone to begin the selection process for a search firm that could conduct a nationwide search for a new executive director.
Boone estimated that the recruitment and hiring process could take up to six months to complete, with a goal of having a new person in the job by the end of the year.
"It is in the Port's best interest and the community's best interest to move ahead in the selection process," Walker said.
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. More than 200 businesses operate on Port properties, employing over 3,300 people.
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