Port People: Bellingham, Jacksonville, Port Angeles, Seattle

Bellingham: Port Appoints Director of Aviation

The Port of Bellingham has named Sunil Harman director of aviation, with oversight responsibility for the port-owned Bellingham International Airport, effective November 2. Mr. Harman brings more than 30 years’ experience in the aviation industry, having worked at large hub airports in New York, Miami and San Diego as well as non-hub and general aviation airports in various locations.  

He served on the Board of Airports Council International – North America as represented of small and non-hub primary commercial air service airports in the United States. He is also a long serving member of the International Air Transport Association’s International Industry Working Group.

Mr. Harman holds a BSc in aviation administration and an MSc in aviation management, both from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is accredited as an American Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executive and an International Airport Executive by the Airports Council International cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization.
 
JAXPORT’s Board of Directors Elects New Officers

The Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) unanimously selected an updated slate of officers during its regular meeting on October 26. The following officers will serve terms ending September 30, 2016:
 
Chairman: Dr. John Newman

Vice Chairman: James Citrano 

Treasurer: Ed Fleming

Secretary: Joe York

Dr. Newman, who continues as chairman, is senior pastor of The Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary.  Mr. Citrano is retired managing director of CBRE Group's Jacksonville office. Ed Fleming is retired CEO/president of Atlantic Marine Holding Co, LLC.  Joe York is CEO, AT&T Florida, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The other board members are immediate past chairman John Falconetti, president of The Drummond Press Inc., and John Rood, chairman of The Vestcor Companies and former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas. One seat is vacant.

JAXPORT Board Chairman Dr. John Newman
Photo/JAXPORT
 
During that same board meeting, Vice Chairman Citrano agreed to serve as JAXPORT’s liaison with the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, an independent regional transportation planning agency for Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

JAXPORT’s unpaid, appointed seven-member board provides policy guidance. Four board members are appointed by the mayor of Jacksonville and three by the governor of Florida.
 
Port Angeles CEO O’Hollaren Announces His Departure 

Ken O’Hollaren announced October 26 he will be stepping down as executive director of the Port of Port Angeles on December 31, 2015. Mr. O’Hollaren cited a desire to be closer to his grandchildren and an opportunity in the private sector as his reasons for leaving the port. 

Mr. O’Hollaren came to the port as interim executive director in August 2013 and was named to the position permanently the following April. Overall, he has more than three decades of public port experience, including 25 years as chief executive of the Port of Longview. He is also a past chairman of the board of the American Association of Port Authorities.

"Ken’s leadership, his dedication to our mission and his unwavering passion for doing what is right helped set the stage for our next level of success. Ken brought a sense of perspective that allowed our staff and commission to work collaboratively on addressing today’s issues and preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities," said Port Commission President Jim Hallett. "Our community is a better place thanks to Ken. His grandkids are lucky and all of us at the port wish Ken the very best." 

The port’s current deputy director, Karen Goschen, will serve as interim executive director until a new executive director is hired. 

Kenneth O’Hollaren
Photo/AAPA
 
Port of Seattle Hires International Investment Expert

Jeffrey Utterback joined the Port of Seattle October 29 as director, real estate development, in the port’s new Economic Development Division.

In this new role, Mr. Utterback will lead the Real Estate Development and Planning group on major real estate planning and development projects, evaluate the development potential of port real estate holdings, and serve as both an internal resource and a driving force for development of the portfolio. 

Most recently, Mr. Utterback was senior managing director at Kennedy Wilson, a global real estate investment and services company, where he was responsible for Pacific Northwest operations. His responsibilities included oversight of construction management, property management, accounting, and the pursuit of new business, acquisitions, and development opportunities.

Earlier, as an investment officer with the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB), he managed seven real estate operating companies with total invested equity capital of more than $4 billion. He also headed WSIB’s Global Co-Investment vehicle, a $500 million fund for international asset and entity level transactions.

As a self-employed entrepreneur, he developed nearly $1 billion worth of institutional properties, primarily in Central Europe and East Africa. He also developed on behalf of ING Real Estate, the Central European Retail Property Fund, Chelsfield in the United Kingdom, Brehon Capital in Ireland, the American School of Warsaw, and for the new government in South Sudan.

Mr. Utterback holds both a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and is a registered architect in California and Texas.

He is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI), NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, and the Downtown Seattle Association. 

Jeffrey Utterback
Photo/Port of Seattle