Microsoft attorney Courtney Gregoire has been chosen to fill
the seat on the Port of Seattle Commission that was vacated earlier this year
by Gael Tarleton, who was elected to the Washington House of Representatives.
With Microsoft, Gregoire supports the firm’s worldwide sales
group. She joins the port after serving as the director of President Obama’s
National Export Initiative and other high-profile work to support economic
development.
She also previously served as deputy chief of staff to
Commerce Secretary John Bryson and legislative director to Sen. Maria Cantwell.
She has degrees from Harvard Law School and Willamette University.
“Courtney brings unparalleled accomplishments and
relationships that will advance the port’s mission to create family-wage jobs
by growing trade. We’re excited to welcome her to our team,” Commission
President Tom Albro said.
The Commission will soon begin a second public process to
fill the seat of Rob Holland, who’s resigning from the Commission effective
March 15. A decision on the seat is expected to be completed in late April or
early May.
The port says finalists not chosen for Tarleton’s position
will be automatically considered for the second position unless a finalist
chooses to end their candidacy. Any of the applicants for the first vacancy
will also be considered if the candidate advises the Commission Office of
continuing interest.
The Commission is accepting applications for Holland’s seat
until noon on March 22. Application packets are available on the Commission
website at http://www.portseattle.org/About/Commission/Pages/default.aspx.
On March 26, the new applicants will be asked to address the
Commissioners for three minutes or submit a written statement. Returning
applicants may address the Commissioners if they so choose, but an appearance
is not necessary.
Both seats will be on the November ballot, with the election
for Holland’s position filling the seat for four years. The winner in the race
for Tarleton’s seat would serve until 2015.
