June 26, 2025
Black History Month may be over, but the Port of Seattle celebrates the accomplishments of our amazing team members all year long. African Americans have played a crucial role in shaping labor history, particularly in transportation, logistics, and infrastructure. Today, the Port honors this legacy by working to advance equity in the workplace, ensuring that all employees have access to opportunities for growth, leadership, and success in the maritime and aviation industries.
Read about the journeys of two women at the Port who lead with determination and skill, and who are committed to advancing equity in labor.
Shannon Acena-Neal, General Electrical Supervisor
Marine Maintenance
Shannon has worked for the Port of Seattle for more than 22 years, beginning her career as a fourth-year electrical apprentice. After achieving journey-level wireman status, she was first promoted to Crew Chief at Pier 66, and now works in a leadership role as General Electrical Supervisor on the Marine Maintenance team.
An uncommon journey
Shannon’s journey into the electrical trade was not a traditional one. Before entering the field, she worked at Safeway for 16 years while raising her daughter as a single mother. At age 35, she made the courageous decision to pursue an electrical apprenticeship, determined to create a more stable future for her family. That leap of faith set the foundation for a remarkable career that continues to shape the Port and the broader community.
Leading with purpose
Shannon’s impact extends far beyond her technical expertise. As a woman of color in a traditionally white male-dominated field, her visibility, leadership, and advocacy for diversity have paved the way for others. She is a former member of the Development and Diversity Council, where she consistently ensured that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remained central to her team’s efforts. From mentoring youth and adults, participating in hiring panels to promote racial and gender diversity, and advocating for equitable labor practices, Shannon has transformed lives within and beyond the Port.
Investing in the next generation
Shannon’s commitment to uplifting the next generation is evident in her dedication to outreach and education. She plays a key role in events like Take Your Kids to Work Day at the Port and the Women in Trades Fair, where she encourages women and underrepresented communities to consider careers in the skilled trades. Shannon’s courage in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity in the trades has left a lasting mark both inside and outside the Port.
As she looks ahead to retirement in the next five or six years, she plans to take time for fishing and glamping. Meanwhile, her legacy is already clear. It lives on in the people she has mentored, the workforce she has shaped, and the doors she has opened for future generations.
Virginia Fullwood, Facility Manager II
Marine Maintenance
Virginia Fullwood brings more than 30 years of experience in facilities and project management, ensuring that the environments where people work, learn, and thrive are efficient, sustainable, and impactful.
Lifelong learning and leadership
Born and raised in Detroit, Virginia began her career in labor as a custodian for Detroit Public Schools — a role that taught her the value of hard work, service, and operational excellence. Determined to advance, she earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in HVAC from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, breaking barriers as the first African American woman to hold dual commercial and residential HVAC contractor licenses in the state. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in technical business management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Leo University in Florida.
Virginia’s career has spanned diverse industries, from higher education to government services, where she has led operations, construction, maintenance, and sustainability initiatives. As a leader at institutions such as North Carolina Agricultural and Technology (A&T) State University, Yale University, and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Government Services, she has managed labor teams, ensured worker safety, and implemented innovative solutions that enhance workplace efficiency. At the Guam Department of Education, she developed and launched a computer maintenance management system that improved labor practices in public school facilities.
Committed to staying ahead of industry trends, Virginia transitioned to the Port’s facilities operations teams two years ago, ensuring that her expertise remained aligned with the latest technologies and labor strategies in facilities management. In her current role as Marine Maintenance Facilities Manager, she continues to lead teams, support laborers, and drive innovation in the maritime sector.
Read more stories about honoring Black Excellence at the Port
