Port commissioners have announced the short list in their search for a new executive director at the Port of Bellingham, moving the port one step closer to filling a position that has sat vacant for nearly a year.
The finalists include the top executive at the Port of Coos Bay, the finance director for the City of Bellingham, a Port of Seattle executive, a former city administrator from Arizona and an international trade executive with the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The $125,000 to $135,000-a-year position is being filled after Jim Darling, who had served as port executive director for 15 years, left in July 2009 for a position in the private sector. Port commissioners plan to interview the finalists in early July, hold a public meeting the next week to introduce the finalists, and make a final selection by the end of the month.
The finalists are:
Jeffrey Bishop has served as the executive director for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay since 2005. Prior to joining the port, Bishop served as manager of industrial development at the Port of Tacoma and director of properties and development at the Port of Pasco.
John Carter has served as the City of Bellingham finance director since being named to the position in late 2007. Prior to joining the city he served as CFO for DIS Corp. in Bellingham, and in several financial management positions with Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Dwight Rives, an 11-year veteran of the Port of Seattle, currently serves as the port's director of port construction services. Prior to his tenure at the Port of Seattle, Rives served as the capital projects manager for the Seattle Public Library.
Mark Watson recently stepped down after serving five years as city administrator of Yuma, Arizona. Prior to his Yuma stint Watson served nearly 25 years in city management positions in Montana and Texas.
Larry Williams currently assistant director, international trade and economic development, for the Washington State Department of Commerce has served more than 17 years in various international trade-related positions with the state of Washington and previously the state of North Carolina.