THE 2013 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS MAIL-IN/DROP-OFF BALLOT, PAGE 14
GETTING ON THE RECORD
First year brings full slate for Rob Fix, the Port of Bellingham’s new executive director By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com
O
n a night in late October, the Port of Bellingham held a special public forum at the city’s cruise terminal in Fairhaven to introduce three finalists for the open executive director’s position. Seven months earlier, Charlie Sheldon, the agency’s former leader, left in a pall of controversy, tendering his resignation to the elected port commission after tangles with Scott Walker, the commission’s president. Rob Fix was not one of the three in the front of the room at the cruise terminal that night. But after the port commission’s initial choice for Sheldon’s successor—Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Port of Oswego, N.Y.—withdrew from consideration, commissioners told Fix: He was their man. The announcement was surprising to observers and to Fix himself, who took on the role of interim executive director while the search for a permanent replacement wore on. The selfdescribed “numbers guy” had served as chief financial officer and deputy director for the port since 2008. At various points after Sheldon left, it was clear Fix was not being considered for the executive role. But in statements after the decision was announced, commissioners noted Fix’s success as interim executive, particularly in negotiating a major waterfront land-ownership swap with Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville. Now in the director’s chair, Fix starts the job with a long to-do list. The Port of Bellingham has capital projects in progress on
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FLIGHT MUSEUM MIGHT MOVE, PAGE 18
HAGGEN NAMES NEW LEADERSHIP AFTER CEO RESIGNS Reasons for top-level executive’s departure from leading regional grocer remain unclear By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com
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Rob Fix accepted the executive director job at the Port of Bellingham in early November. He served as interim executive for nearly seven months after Charlie Sheldon’s departure in April. DAN LEVINE PHOTO | COURTESY OF THE PORT OF BELLINGHAM
PORT AGENDA
Major projects ahead in 2013 Complete terminal expansion at Bellingham International Airport ($36M) Begin in-water work for cleanup in Whatcom Waterway ($21M) Secure developers for Waterfront District and new airport hotel (TBD)
several fronts, including a multiyear, multimillion dollar airport terminal expansion and a major cleanup effort in the Whatcom Waterway near the city’s central waterfront. The agency has also inherited significant elements of the region’s economic growth and planning. With a local economy still pulling itself out of recession,
the financial stakes are high, but so is the potential.
THE LOCAL ECONOMY BBJ: How do you judge the health of business and industry in Whatcom County right now?
there are some out there that are still suffering. But we’re seeing a lot of activity. We’re getting a lot of real estate inquiries, and a lot of manufacturing-based stuff. I think we’re on the upswing, so that’s the good news. The port itself is spending a lot of money right now between several different capital projects, and that is definitely helping contractors and electricians. I’m positive. I’m bullish on the economy. I think we’re in a good spot. BBJ: What is the port doing to help the local economy?
aggen CEO C.J. Gabriel Jr. has resigned his position with the Bellingham-based grocery chain, a senior executive with the company has confirmed. Clement Stevens, Haggen’s senior vice president of merchandising, said the company’s board of directors accepted Gabriel’s resignation on Friday, Dec. 7. Rather than search for a replacement, Stevens said the company is appointing a threemember leadership team made up of himself; John Turley, Haggen’s chief operating officer; and Ron Stevens, who serves as both chief financial officer and chief information officer for the company. (Clement Stevens and Ron Stevens are not related.) The new leadership will be officially known as the “Office of the President,” Stevens said.
HAGGEN | PAGE 5
Fix: Well the biggest thing is the airport. I think that’s the single
Fix: I think it’s recovering. I’m not a business owner, so I’m sure
FIX | PAGE 6
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