Clare Nordquist is new Chair and President of the Port of Seattle Commission

The Port of Seattle Commission today elected Clare Nordquist as Chair and President for 2001.

Nordquist takes over the leadership role from outgoing president Jack Block, who sponsored a motion to clarify existing leadership roles by adding the title of Chair to Commission President, and changing the Executive Director title to Chief Executive Officer.

Nordquist said moving forward with the permitting process and construction of the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the top priority for the Port in 2001.

"We need to continue building not only the third runway, but our relationships with the surrounding communities as well, such as with the Highline School District," Nordquist said. "And relationship-building also needs to occur with all of the communities we serve -- for the Seaport as well as the Airport."

Another key initiative this year will be the continued transformation of the Port to an e-Business model. "We are undertaking an aggressive e-Business strategy that will launch the Port as a world leader in technology," Nordquist said, citing the Port's recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with Singapore's Portnet.com to develop, implement, and market a Web-based cargo and harbor management system for Seattle.

Nordquist said that by year's end the Port will have a strategic plan for the next five years of growth, building upon the work of a citizens advisory group that has been working on a recommendations for a harbor development strategy.

Nordquist was appointed to the Commission to fill a vacancy in 1998. He won election to a four-year term in 1999. The Bellevue resident is co-founder of Kirkland-based Materia Ventures, a private venture capital firm. He is CEO of Leading Edge Ceramics and is on the board of Viox Corporation, both local companies. He is also on the board of Astropower, a publicly held company that produces solar cells and is based in Newark, Delaware. In addition, he is working with a few other start-ups in various capacities.

The Commission also elected Commissioner Bob Edwards as Vice President, Commissioner Patricia Davis as Secretary, and Commissioner Jack Block as Assistant Secretary.