By Karen Robes Meeks
Pearse Edwards is the new Senior Director of External Relations at the Port of Seattle.
Edwards, who was the port’s Director of Government Relations and had been acting Senior Director of External Affairs, now will manage matters related to “government relations, community engagement, communications, regional transportation, capital project delivery, and the port’s office of social responsibility,” according to the port.
The North Carolina native brings a wealth of experience. He has worked as a policy and political advisor to Governors Gary Locke and Chris Gregoire in Washington State, and Gov. Bev Perdue in North Carolina. Prior to that, he helped privatize state-owned enterprises in his work with the International Finance Corporation in the Russian Federation.
Edwards served as Director of Communications at Microsoft and worked as an account manager at APCO Worldwide in Seattle and GMMB in Washington, D.C. He also held the position of Director of Public Affairs at Capstrat in Raleigh, NC.
“Pearse’s background is perfectly calibrated for the Port’s external relations team, which helps create economic opportunities for our region while ensuring that local businesses and residents benefit from the Port’s investments,” said port Executive Director Stephen Metruck. “His experience in Washington state, Washington, D.C., on policy issues, operating executive offices, and leading public service teams will be a great asset as the Port navigates a dynamic policy environment and advances significant economic and environmental strategies.”
