Port of Seattle CEO Ted J. Fick has hired David McFadden as a member of the Port’s executive team, effective July 21. As the Managing Director of the Economic Development Division, McFadden’s portfolio will include recruiting and retaining businesses especially in aviation, manufacturing and maritime sectors, along with real estate, long-term leases, innovative property development, the Small Business ‘Incubator’ and Accelerator Initiatives, marketing, tourism, Office of Social Responsibility and workforce development.
His responsibilities include driving economic development activities at the Port of Seattle to maximize opportunities available to the port while making Seattle a gateway for international commerce.
“David brings over 20 years of experience in economic development and business growth to this organization,” said Fick. “His results-oriented background makes him uniquely qualified to fill this new role at the Port of Seattle, where we aim to bring more family-wage jobs to the region and state of Washington.”
As President and CEO of the Yakima County Development Association since 1997, McFadden was responsible for business and industry retention and expansion, along with new business recruitment. Companies that received support from the association have invested over $400 million in new facilities and created over 2,000 new jobs since 2002.
McFadden holds a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Social Assessment and Policy, both from Western Washington University. He is also an Economic Development Finance Professional and Certified Economic Developer.
About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911, the Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, four container cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, one grain terminal, a public cargo terminal, four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and economic advantage. The port’s operations currently help create nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 22 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at www.portseattle.org.
