Seal Beach Firm Searches for Maritime Executive for Port of Tacoma

The Port of Tacoma Commission on Tuesday selected Shey-Harding, a Seal Beach, Calif.-based executive search firm, to help the port find a new executive director.

The commissioners heard from three finalists and chose Shey-Harding oof Seal Beach because of its flexibility, industry involvement and available resources, said Tara Mattina, the port’s spokeswoman.

The board has said it is looking for a company that has experience recruiting maritime industry executives, planning and conducting outreach and communications related to the search, and helping negotiate an agreement with a final candidate.

The port received nine proposals from firms vying for the contract. Only one of the companies – Seattle-based Waldron & Co. – was from Washington state.

Port staff members plan to check the winning company’s references and negotiate a contract to bring to the commission, perhaps as early as March 4, for approval, Mattina said.

The contract amount hasn’t been decided. But Shey-Harding’s proposal stated that the company charges 25 percent of the hired director’s first-year base salary. The former director made about $220,000 a year.

Tim Farrell left the port at the end of last year. Deputy director John Wolfe is working as the port’s interim director until a new leader is found.