The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners on Oct. 16
named the finalists for the port’s executive director position and announced
the candidates will attend a public reception later this month as part of the
selection process.
The three finalists, who were chosen from among 95
applicants, are Jonathan Daniels, executive director for Port of Oswego, New
York; Bill Panos, the Public Works and Port Director for the City of West
Sacramento in California; and Les Reardanz, the Port of Everett’s Chief Administrative
Officer.
“The commissioners have individually interviewed each of
them and we believe these candidates have the ability to lead Port staff and
Port operations in a manner that will result in strong performance for our
community,” port Commission President Scott Walker said.
The finalists will be in Bellingham on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30
for additional interviews by commissioners, port staff and community members,
with one portion of the interview process being a public reception and
introduction to the finalists.
The port will host a public reception at 5 p.m., Mon., Oct.
29, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven. The reception is scheduled
to begin with brief remarks from each finalist and is expected to provide the
community with opportunities to have informal discussions with the candidates.
The candidates are vying to replace former executive
director Charlie Sheldon, who resigned under pressure April 3 after about a
year-and-a-half on the job. The position has been filled in the interim by port
Deputy Director/CFO Rob Fix.
