Seattle Taps Ex-Polar Executive to Head Port
Ted Fick, former CEO of trailer maker Polar Corp., has been selected as CEO at the Port of Seattle to replace Tai Yoshitani, who is retiring at the end of this month.
Fick, whose career also included stints at Paccar Inc. and Kenworth Motor Co. as well as the maker of temperature-control products, will start his new job Sept. 29. Yoshitani, who has headed the port for the past seven years, previously was the top port executive in other international cargo hubs, including Maryland and California ports.
The appointment, which includes oversight of the ocean cargo and airport services, was made at a time the city’s containerized cargo market share is slipping as competitors in Canada move more cargo. Seattle in the first half of the year handled 9.4% fewer container loads, while business grew 8.9% at nearby Tacoma and 4.6% at all West Coast ports.
Ted has the right combination of skills and dynamic leadership to help the Port of Seattle thrive in the globally competitive environment ports face today,” Commission Co-President Courtney Gregoire said in a statement. “He brings the fresh perspective and breadth of experience we need.”
Fick is a native of Tacoma. Before leaving the Pacific Northwest in 2000, he also headed the family’s foundry business.
I am honored to join the Port of Seattle, an organization I’ve depended on, worked with and admired throughout my career,” Fick said in a statement. “I can’t wait to join them as we work together.”
