Paulson announces retirement plans; commissioners select Coleman as next port director

March 8, 2011

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners announced today the selection of Deputy Executive Director Todd Coleman as the port’s next executive director when Larry Paulson retires in April 2012. Paulson announced his decision to step down from the executive director position he has held at the port since 1999 at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 8.

Paulson’s announcement was followed by the commission’s endorsement of Coleman. “We are more than confident that Todd’s the right person to serve as our next executive director,” said Brian Wolfe, commission president. “The board has spent more than a year thoughtfully working through a process to determine how we transition leadership of the port in a manner that’s best for the port and the community.”

Paulson shared his plans for retirement with the commission in early 2010; at which time the commission accelerated the port’s succession planning process that began in 2006. Pat Jones, an independent contractor with Jones Strategic Consulting and former executive director of the Washington Public Ports Association, was hired to assist the commissioners through the process. Jones conducted extensive interviews with key port staff and a number of community leaders to gather input.

Coleman was identified early in the process as a strong internal candidate. Joining the port in 2001, Coleman served as director of facilities before being promoted to deputy executive director in 2005. Prior to joining the port, Coleman was a partner in an engineering consulting firm, Coleman & Davido Engineering Consultants, in Estacada, Ore. He also held positions with Oregon companies URS, Inc. and Parametrix, Inc.

“I’m very pleased to see Todd move into this position,” said Paulson. “He’s done a superb job guiding the port successfully forward in what can only be called a very challenging economic environment; and because he knows our organization inside and out he’ll bring continuity along with his own innovative ideas to the position.”

Upon retirement, Paulson will have served the port for twenty years. Beginning in 1992, he acted as the primary attorney to the port while with the law offices of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. He was named successor to retired Executive Director Byron Hanke in April 1997, and officially took the helm at the port as executive director in January 1999.

“Working at the port under Larry’s leadership has been an honor,” said Coleman. “I am humbled by the support I’ve received from the staff and the community through this process, and I look forward to partnering with the commission in continuing to deliver economic benefit to our region.”

Paulson and Coleman will continue in their currently held positions through April 30, 2012.

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About the Port of Vancouver USA

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

The Port of Vancouver is in the midst of a year full of projects and developments that will lead to vital job creation, economic stimulation and environmental preservation. By diversifying its cargo mix between bulk commodities, break bulk and project cargos, the port is responsible for job generation and significant contributions to the tax base for not only its own community, but also the state of Washington. Current expansion of the port’s rail system and development of new port industrial and marine properties will bring new jobs – both short term and long term – and the preservation of wetlands, the creation of enhanced wildlife habitat, and make way for more green/sustainable business partners operating from the port. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.