Isaki to Join Port of Seattle

Paul Isaki, veteran of a number of high-level posts in state government as well as in the business sector, today was named director of economic, business and trade development for the Port of Seattle. He will join the Port on December 30.

Most recently, Isaki has been Gov. Gary Locke's special assistant for business. In that role, he has been responsible for overseeing the reform of the state's environmental permitting system, a key goal of the governor's Competitiveness Council. He also was a member of the team that helped put together Washington State's bid to become the final-assembly site for the next-generation Boeing airliner, the 7E7.

Isaki also served as Locke's special trade representative and, later, as chief of staff.

At the Port of Seattle, Isaki will head the department focusing on international trade and new business development. As part of that assignment, Isaki will oversee the Port's foreign trade offices, including a new office to open in Shanghai in 2005. He will guide the Port's efforts to bring in new business, as well as advise the CEO on strategic economic and business issues.

"This is a great fit for the Port and for Paul," said Port of Seattle C.E.O. M.R. "Mic" Dinsmore. "Paul brings a wealth of business experience and a career's worth of great relationships, both here and abroad."

"Our business and business relationships are growing, especially in Asia," Dinsmore said. "Paul comes to us at a key time in the development of the Port, and he will be a valuable aide in bringing new ventures and economic vitality to our region."

Before joining the Locke cabinet, Isaki was vice president of business development for the Seattle Mariners, where he lead the development of Safeco Field. He also was director of the Department of Trade and Economic Development for Gov. Booth Gardner and has worked in the private sector in the area of real-estate development.