On Jan. 26 the Port of Tacoma Commission reviewed a draft proposal for a search firm to help find a new port leader. The previous two sessions this month helped shape a schedule for requesting proposals from search firms, how far away the port should recruit firms, and the criteria commissioners will use to evaluate submitted proposals.
This draft requests firms 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.
The commission will accept proposals from interested firms that have experience searching for maritime organizations until Feb. 10. The commission also expects to have a short list of top candidates by Feb. 19 and interviews are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 23. The entire process for choosing an appropriate firm should be wrapped up by early March.
Along with maritime experience, the commission has compiled an extensive list of search firm criteria. The port has high expectations for the scope of work to be preformed as well. The firm would be expected to draft an appropriate timeline for completion of work and would also be required to describe their methodology indicating a proposed approach for finding the next port executive.
The proposal will also include a retention clause. The clause cites that any new executive director hired will be expected to stay at the port for at least two years and firms are expected to provide a replacement guarantee for added security.
Commission President Don Johnson explained that search firm candidates would be narrowed down based on numerical evaluation criteria. Each commissioner will judge candidates based on a variety of characteristics, including overall cost of services, value of replacement guarantee, and experiences recruiting qualified executive-level candidates.
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