Port of Tacoma Commissioners are expected at their special 2 p.m. Jan. 26 work session to review a draft scope for a search firm to help find a new Port leader. The previous two session discussions this month helped shape a schedule for requesting proposals from search firms, how far afield the Port should recruit firms, and the criteria the commissioners will use to evaluate submitted proposals. The draft scope calls for a firm with experience recruiting maritime industry executives, planning and conducting outreach and communications related to the search, and helping negotiate an agreement with a final candidate.

On Jan. 1, 2010, John Wolfe became the Port’s interim executive director. He will serve in that capacity until the Port Commission conducts an executive search and chooses a new leader for the Port. Former Executive Director Tim Farrell left his post Dec. 31, 2009.

Wolfe has served as the deputy executive director of the Port of Tacoma since June 2005.

As deputy executive director, Wolfe was the primary leader for the Port’s corporate functions while overseeing the Port’s growing real estate business. His principal responsibilities included the integration and alignment of financial, technological, human resources, marketing, public relations and security activities around the Port’s overall business priorities.

Prior to joining the Port of Tacoma, he served for two years as the executive director of the Port of Olympia. Before that, he served as Olympia’s director of operations and marine terminal general manager. Wolfe also spent 10 years with Maersk Sealand/APM Terminals in Tacoma, most recently as the terminal’s operations manager. Wolfe is a native of Puyallup, Wash., and a graduate of Tacoma’s Pacific Lutheran University.

Commission meetings are held in Room 104 of The Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road in Tacoma. Meetings also are available for viewing live and on-demand from the Port’s Web site at http://www.portoftacoma.com .