Port of Seattle Commission selects Ted J. Fick as next CEO

The Port of Seattle’s search for a new leader appears to be at end as its commission named Ted J. Fick to take over as CEO late last week.

While he has no direct port or maritime experience, Fick has lead manufacturing organizations nationwide, and is recognized as a collaborator capable of forging stronger ties with the neighboring Port of Tacoma.

Peter McGraw, spokesman for the Seattle’s Seaport and Real Estate division, said that a joint marketing plan with Port of Tacoma is “just a concept,” but one worth exploring.

“We see the entire Puget Sound coming together in future years to address some of our common challenges and to meet our common goals,” says McGraw. “It’s an exciting time to be in the port business.”

Indeed, Fick is a Tacoma native who will be charged with taking over for CEO Tay Yoshitani when he retires next month. Commissioners must vote on his appointment in public session. The vote is scheduled for their next meeting on September 11, when Fick will be introduced to the community.

Seattle joins the other West Cost ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland in appointing new leadership recently.

Fick spent many years working in the Puget Sound region’s manufacturing and industrial community, beginning at his family’s Tacoma-based company, Fick Foundry. He then devoted his efforts at PACCAR, one of the Pacific Northwest’s primary manufacturers holding leadership positions in both PACCAR and their division Kenworth.

In 2000, he left the PNW and has since held multiple leadership positions in transportation and manufacturing companies. Most recently, he served as CEO of Polar Corporation, a $475 million trailer and component parts manufacturer in Minnesota. In that position, he oversaw three operating divisions, multiple manufacturing plants, and a workforce of over 2,000 represented and non-represented employees.