The person in the number three management position at Port
of Everett, Chief Financial Officer Karen Clements, announced in late January
that she’s retiring in September after 18 years on the job.
“I have really enjoyed working at the port, as well as with
many port staff and commissioners,” Clements said. “Working 18 years at the
Port of Everett has passed much faster than I could have imagined and I am so
proud to have been a part of such a great organization.”
As chief financial officer, Clements has been responsible
for the port’s $56 million-plus capital and operating budgets, its investment
portfolios, risk management, bond issuance and overseeing information
technology. During her tenure, Clements has led the port to 15 consecutive
years of clean audits.
Also during her time at the port, she has participated in
union negotiations, led staff efforts for the state and federal audits and
managed the port’s industrial development corporation.
The port says it will hire a recruiting firm to fill her
position.
“Karen did a fantastic job managing the port’s assets, and
hers will definitely be big shoes to fill,” Port Commissioner Tom Stiger said.
“I know for a fact, that I will be spending these next nine months picking her
brain to get as much of her financial knowledge as I can before she leaves.”
Prior to joining the Port of Everett, Clements worked for
the City of Puyallup for 12 years.
