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Port of Tacoma position 1« Go back
Connie Bacon
Residence: Lakewood
Contact: 253-584-1433
E-mail: abacon8217@aol.com
Website: electconniebacon.com
Occupation: Port Commissioner

Experience: Gov. Econ. Dev. Comm.- present Tac./Pierce Co. Chamber Brd. - present Asia/Pacific Cultural Cntr. Brd. 00-07 PLU Bus. Scho. Adv. Brd. 90's Fredrickson Land Planning Brd. 00 Lkewd. Econ. Dev. Adv. to Mayor 00-07 Urban Wtrs. Brd. - present American Leadership Senior Fellow-present UWT Advisory Brd. to Port Chair-present Tideflats Rail Oversite Comm.-present Founder and Brd. - Northwest Sinfonietta-15 yrs. to 07 Other cultural and civic groups over 40 yrs.

Education: BA Journalism/Economics - Syracuse U.'54 MPA Public Admin. - Evergreen State '88

What are your priorities for the port in the upcoming year?
Priorities: Fiscal Soundness Innovative solutions to address "new economy" Develop new revenue streams Generate jobs Improve staff morale in face of economic downturn

The port’s executive director reports to the commission. On what criteria do you think the director should be evaluated?
The Commission has two main jobs: Selecting an executive director and formulating policy and direction for the Port. then assuring leadership delivers prescribed outcomes. We continually evaluate the skill set and performance of the director assuring he or she has the vision and abilities to meet challenges to the Port's fiscal and operational activities and to assure the Port is competitive in a changing marketplace.

What should the port do to attract and keep business?
Until the current economy improves, our Port needs to fully support our customers and continually improve our competitive strengths in pricing, efficiency and productivity to gain market share because as we show better performance. Ongoing, our Port must be on the cutting edge of the "new economy" seeking new avenues for revenue producing lines of business, cooperation and linkage to innovative initiatives as well as continue to market our competitive advantages in our core business.

Personal Statement:
This is a critical election for the Port of Tacoma. Economic challenges and ability to grow the Port under new economic conditions will require the experience and judgment I have gained over 12 years in the industry to assess industry and political conditions and make decisions that will allow the Port to grow and continue to be an economic engine for our County and region and to do this with fiscal responsibility and integrity.

Bill Casper
Residence: DuPont
Contact: 253-627-7400
E-mail: bcasper36@msn.com
Website: casperfortpc.com
Occupation: Professional Engineering company, over 40 yr

Experience: Candidate in 2007 for Port Commission Position 3. Nisqually Stream Steward (current). Nisqually Land Trust (current).

Education: Master of Science Degree, Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1960

What are your priorities for the port in the upcoming year?
The bad economy has hit the maritime industry with surprise and intensity. I call my first priority an economic tsunami. Others are: Resist growing competition from Prince Rupert, East Coast, and Gulf that is taking container business away from the West Coast. Turn the NYK situation around. Explore ways to utilize newly idle land to create jobs and revenue. Limit property tax to pay off general obligation bonds, then stop. Lease Maytown for gravel mine.

The port’s executive director reports to the commission. On what criteria do you think the director should be evaluated?
Manage staff, contracts, and port services as commissioners deem best for county residents by creating local jobs and supporting local businesses. Fair but tough with layoffs needed at this time to reflect switch from original operating to present landlord port. Intentionally become dispensable, never indispensable. Recognize and demand professional engineering excellence by engineering manager and chief engineer. Balanced mature competence in business administration, contracting, customer service, and marketing.

What should the port do to attract and keep business?
Keep existing customers. That's always the first marketing rule. Expect a probable permanent shift of container traffic to East Coast via Panama Canal, and Suez Canal. Start planning now for that to happen. Seek R&D grants for Terminal Automation, Mechanic Training, and Nuclear Defense. Explore new uses for idle and surplus land; that includes Maytown. Collaborate rather than Compete with the proposed SSA/Puyallup Terminal. Stop wasting money on foreign representatives and sister cities.

Personal Statement:
I hope to become a productive member of a Dream Port Commission Team joining with Don Johnson, Dick Marzano, Don Meyer and Clare Petrich. This group would have complementary and overlapping skills and experience that cannot be matched by any other Port Commission in America. All also have unique qualifications the others do not have. Tacoma was once world famous for pioneering on dock intermodal. Let's again accomplish something equally vital to the maritime industry.