For the second time in as many months, a Seattle port commission
has submitted a letter of resignation.
On Feb. 13, Commissioner Rob Holland submitted his letter
King County Council Chair Larry Gossett. Holland, who is leaving the port to
pursue other professional opportunities, has been a commission member since January
2010. His resignation is effective March 15.
His departure follows that of Gael Tarleton, who formally
quit the board Jan. 31 due to being elected last Nov. 6 to represent the 36th
legislative district in the Washington State House of Representatives.
Holland was elected by the citizens of King County in 2009.
He was the first African American commissioner and first openly gay person
elected to the Port Commission.
“The port’s mission of creating jobs and expanding economic
opportunity for everyone in our community will remain close to my heart,”
Holland said in announcing his imminent departure. “I am grateful for the
opportunity I had to serve the people of King County on economic justice
issues.”
Holland had been a leader in the port’s effort to promote
small business growth and workforce development and an advocate for seaport
competitiveness in the global marketplace and establishing free trade zones to
spur private-sector innovation.
“Rob has been a powerful advocate for working families
during his service on the Commission,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “He
firmly believes that a rising tide must lift all boats, a sentiment that I know
we all share.”
The Port Commission is already engaged in a process to fill the
vacancy resulting from Tarleton’s resignation and with the additional vacancy,
now must appoint two commissioners. Holland’s four-year term expires at the end
of the year, while Tarleton’s was due to run until the end of 2015. Tarleton’s
and Holland’s eventual successors will serve until the November 2013 general
election when new candidates are publicly chosen to fill the seats.
