Port of Portland Director Announces Retirement

 

Wyatt’s 16-year tenure with the U.S. West Coast port has included major milestones in the organization’s history. At the marine terminals specifically, his legacy includes several hundred million dollars of infrastructure investment made by port marine terminal tenants following the $199 million Columbia River navigation channel deepening project leading to the growth and retention of key waterfront jobs, as well as significant growth in auto shipping induced by the start of exports of American-made Fords and Lincolns to Asia.

 

“It has been an enormous privilege to have served the port for the past 16 years,” said Wyatt. “The port’s best successes during my tenure have been the result of collaboration and partnership and I want to thank the many stakeholders and community members who have played a role in helping the port carry out its mission of providing access to global markets and land for job creation. I also continue to be impressed by and want to acknowledge the talented, passionate employees of the port who work every day to ensure alignment with regional needs, expectations and values.” 

 

“I believe the port has never been in a stronger position to address opportunities and challenges than it is today,” he said. “I will leave in June knowing the future is bright for this organization.”

 

The port’s nine commissioners are responsible for selecting Wyatt’s successor. A recruitment process will begin later this week.

 

Prior to his appointment as the port’s Executive Director, Wyatt served as Chief of Staff to former Oregon Governor John A. Kitzhaber for seven years, preceded by six years as President of the Oregon Business Council, and five years as Executive Director of the Association for Portland Progress, then, Portland’s downtown development association. A native Oregonian, raised in Astoria, Wyatt served as a state representative from the Astoria area from 1974–1977.