The nearly 15-month search for an executive director at the Port of Bellingham appears to be on track – again.
Bellingham port officials announced three new candidates to fill the executive director office left vacant since the resignation of former port top executive Jim Darling in June 2009. Port Facilities Director Fred Seeger has served as the port's interim executive director since June 2009.
The three new candidates are:
Mark Beaty, executive director of operations for the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Air & Marine Headquarters in Washington DC.
Gregory Borossay, general manager of liner development with the Oregon-state Port of Portland.
Charles Sheldon, a 20-year veteran of the Port of Seattle now serving as a special projects coordinator for the port's executive team.
Earlier this year the port announced five different individuals as finalists for the $125,000- to $135,000-a-year position after whittling down a pool of more than 110 applicants.
Shortly before a round of public meetings to introduce the candidates, two of the five finalists removed their names from contention.
Port officials then decided they wanted additional candidates beyond the three remaining finalists. Although the three individuals were asked to keep their names in contention, each withdrew his name shortly after the port decision to expand the candidate pool.