Connie Bacon
Port of Tacoma commissioner,
position no. 1
Connie Bacon is an incumbent port commissioner running for Position no. 1. She is running for re-election because she believes her experience will be needed as the port and the economy begin to recover.
Bacon became interested in port politics during her term as executive director of World Trade Center Tacoma.
“I learned about the center’s interplay with the port,” Bacon said. “I saw the job of the port commission and its role within the community. I became interested in participating.”
Although Bacon credits her small business experience as a factor in her candidacy, she also highlights her time as a special assistant to former Governor Booth Gardner.
“My management and policy-making activities and my interest and knowledge in the China market make me very well equipped to help ensure growth at the port.”
Business involves taking risks, and sometimes those risks do not pay off, such as the recent NYK terminal plans. Bacon said these plans are actually a plus for both entities.
“Although it isn’t what it started out to be, it does bring the NYK to Tacoma,” she said.
She admits that she could have demanded more information from staff about the project plans and that she intends to change this if re-elected.
“The commission needs to have a more hands-on role to assure we have all the information we need to make good decisions,” Bacon said.
If re-elected, she looks forward to bringing jobs back the area and rebuilding the port’s business after a rough economy. She commends the port staff and the commission’s commitment to environmental stewardship. These are a few of the factors she credits for making the Port of Tacoma an ideal place to do business, even though other entities might pose stiff competition.
“Although we remain the closest port to China, our policies and internal culture let customers know their success is also ours,” Bacon said.
As the port looks toward the future, Bacon said her term in office would ensure that the port is prepared for growth, assuming the economy grows too.
‘I hope we’ll have the opportunity to address job creation because this adds to economic development of the community,” She noted. “There are lots of things out there that we can do to ensure that growth is not based on our container volume.”
Bill Casper
Port of Tacoma
commission,
position no. 1
Bill Casper is running for position no. 1 on the Port of Tacoma Commission. He believes he is well qualified to do the job, and would like to help usher in a new future at the port.
“I have been interested in port politics because I have worked in the industry as an engineer for more than 40 years,” Casper said. “I think I will have more influence as a port commissioner, instead of Bill Casper the citizen.”
If elected, Casper would like to use his education and experience to institute new technologically savvy initiatives, such as automated terminals, that could help boost business and make the region more competitive in the future.
“Already the port can’t continue to compete for shipping and container business. We’re in trouble,” Casper said. “A wider Panama Canal will divert container business away from the west to the East Coast. Billions are going for new eastern terminal construction, and so many eastern ports will be built when trade picks up that the region will be over capacity and fighting for business.”
He suggests obtaining government funding for more automatic terminals.
“It’s a booming business were passing up.”
Casper believes that every port commissioner must bring mature business, port management or engineering experience to effectively support and guide the port through the economic downturn.
“I bring all three and will offer ways to better compete, recruit new emerging lines of business, jump over traditional port concepts, and create new jobs. We can and will maintain the port’s low tax bite,” he noted.
Casper believes he can support future port growth and success.
“I think we have to take action to get other sources of revenue, including automated terminals,” Casper said. “Longshoremen and shipping companies agree. The Longshoremen see higher tech jobs, including mechanical and clerical work. The companies want it for cheaper labor. The port also needs a good training facility. We have the opportunity set up a real prototype where laborers can maintain their skills and become good mechanics. If the Port of Tacoma took some of these steps, we could get ahead of most other ports. In 10 years, it’s going to happen.”
Charles Kelly Creso
Port of Tacoma
commission
position no. 2
Charles Kelly Creso is running for the Port of Tacoma Commission, position no. 2. He is running for office because of what he describes as a “crisis of leadership and decision-making” at the port.
He became interested in local port politics after years of following the issues in the local media.
“There has been a number of decisions that were rubberstamped by the current commission, which include the failed decision at Maytown and the port expansion of NYK,” Creso said. “There have also been the largest layoffs at the port in 50 years. There is a vote of no confidence with the current commission.”
Creso hopes to bring more than 30 years of business experience to the commission if elected. His education consists of three degrees, including a bachelor of science degree in business.
“The port is a municipal style government, and currently no one on the commission has a degree in business,” Creso said. “I have a very good background in business, primarily in real estate. A person has to have a sufficient knowledge base to ask the right questions. That’s my strongest point,” he said.
If elected, Creso hopes to bring a change to the current decision-making process, which he believes has been the biggest challenge among the current commissioners this year.
“The current port is responding to mistakes made over the past three years,” Creso said. “For example, the Maytown project has failed but the cost goes on for the Port of Tacoma. As a commissioner, before the votes are passed I will help make sure all the issues are fully analyzed and discussed before a vote is made. Every contract that comes down the road, I will be reading over those with a fine-tooth comb. We can’t make a rational decision before getting all the facts,” he added.
As the port begins to rebuild during a recovering economy, Creso said there are many characteristics that continue to make this region attractive to potential customers.
“We have a deep water port, which is important,” he said. “But we also have a surplus of available space to accommodate a wide variety of shipping alternatives. The Port of Tacoma also has some of the most dedicated and able workers that exist anywhere in the U.S., and a high degree of efficiency.”
As the port begins to look toward the future, Creso hopes to be a part of the decision-making process.
“No one can predict where the port will be in 10 years. I hope to be there every step of the way, working with commission and executive to develop plans to maximize the efforts of the port and get the best possible return on investments.”
Dick Marzano
Port of Tacoma
candidate position no. 2
Dick Marzano is an incumbent commissioner running for position no. 2. He is running for office to continue helping the port get stronger and more competitive for business.
“Lots of things still need to be done. It’s been great to be part of an industry that is changing,” he said.
During his time as president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23, Marzano developed an interest in port politics.
While attending meetings, Marzano said, he noticed there was not a voice for laborers on the commission. “I noticed there was no one with a labor background,” he said. “The commissioners’ jobs are to create economic vitality within the port and to realize that labor and business go hand in hand.”
After more than 30 years of port and waterfront related experience, Marzano touts his understanding of the business and labor/management relations as a key factor for his candidacy.
However, looking back there are some actions and decisions taken by the commission that he believes could have been handled differently.
“This year I don’t know if there was any decision that could have been handled differently,” Marzano said. “Had we had a crystal ball we could have made some changes, but with the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, we had to make difficult decisions. It would have been nice to figure out a way to keep a lot more of people who had to be let go. The worst thing is seeing good people have to be let go.”
Though there were tough decisions he had to make, there are still many things Marzano is proud of accomplishing during his time in office.
“I think the relationship with the port, labor and the community has been a great accomplishment. We finally are starting to reach out like we should have been a long time ago,” he said.
In his opinion, the Port of Tacoma remains an ideal place for business because of two things: partnerships and customer service. He explained that the port has been working together with the Port of Seattle a lot more to market the region, instead of just one city.
Business often involves taking risks and sometimes those risks do not always pan out. As a port commissioner, Marzano said it is important to look at the needs of the industry before you enter new agreements.
“For NYK, at the time, shipping and the economy were strong. But we made the decision before they came to us, to acquire property on the waterfront.”
Marzano feels positive as the port begins looking toward the future.
“The port will weather the storm and we will be well situated for the changes that will take place. Customers will be looking at gateways when the economy returns, and it’s critical that the Puget Sound remain a gateway for shipping lines.”
Don Meyer
Port of Tacoma
commission
position no. 4
Don Meyer is a candidate for Port Commissioner, Position no. 4. He is running for office to sharpen the port’s competitive focus, and to aggressively pursue investments and new jobs while seeking new solutions for clean air and water.
“I have a passion for economic development,” Meyer said. “I have been involved with the waterway for some time now, and I want to apply my experience and capability to this port.”
After being involved in numerous waterfront redevelopment projects in the South Sound, Meyer became interested in local port politics. Although he has a degree in business administration, Meyer believes his practical work experience and knowledge could bring a lot to the commission.
“I used to be involved in professional development in the state’s House of Appropriations, among other things. I think that background of being at state level in policy debate in policy matters has made me want to work in a collaborative way at the local level,” he said.
An action taken by the current commissioners, which could have been handled differently, has to do with some of the port’s current landholdings, Meyer explained.
“The key fact is that they didn’t make a decision in redevelopment of some of their properties,” Meyer said. “Part of their job provision is giving direction to staff and how do they get a better return on unutilized land. This is crucial. The commissioners have to look at new business models, not just business as usual.”
In his opinion, the Port of Tacoma remains an ideal place for business because of its ability to continually accommodate the customer.
“The port is a great place for business because of its ability to work with labor, and its long track record of meeting customer needs and building partnerships with the community,” Meyer said.
Business involves taking risks, and sometimes those risks don’t pay off, such as the recent NYK terminal plans. As a port commissioner, Meyer said the most important thing to have when investing in a new plan is an exit strategy, just in case.
“If you don’t have a good exit strategy and if you can’t build something, what happens then?” Meyer asked. “During any proposals there needs to be fallback strategies for the community. That’s a key item.”
As the port begins looking toward the future, Meyer remains optimistic.
“I’m looking for a golden era,” he said. “There will be a long recovery, but I think the core things are in place. We need to be diversified and research express rail services.”
Cathy Pearsall-Stipek
Port of Tacoma
commissioner
Position no. 4
Candidate did not return calls for an interview by press deadline.
