The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners has selected Tiffany DeSimone as the organization's next Executive Director, ending a national search that drew nearly 100 candidates. The announcement, made May 12, marks DeSimone's formal elevation from her previous role as interim director to a full permanent appointment.
The Port of Bellingham is one of Whatcom County's most influential public agencies, overseeing the working waterfront, Bellingham International Airport, and significant stretches of shoreline accessible to the public. The executive director role carries enormous weight for local economic development, maritime industry support, and long-range land use decisions that affect the entire region.
Commission President Michael Shepard spoke directly to the selection criteria. "Our responsibility as elected officials is to ensure the Port delivers for the people of Whatcom County, today and for generations to come," Shepard said. "Tiffany brings the integrity, experience, judgment, and community connection necessary to carry out the Commission's vision. She understands that economic development and public trust are not competing values, they are complementary ones."
DeSimone's appointment reflects continuity at the top of the Port during a period of active strategic planning. Her priorities under the new permanent role align with those she was managing as interim director: responsible waterfront redevelopment, airport diversification focused on air service expansion, support for general aviation and aeronautical industry recruitment, backing for local maritime businesses and marine trades, and preservation of public shoreline access throughout Whatcom County.
The national search that preceded this appointment drew a broad field. The Commission's decision to select someone who had already been serving in an interim capacity suggests confidence built through direct observation of DeSimone's leadership. Cascadia Daily News reported that the Commission voted unanimously to elevate her to the permanent role at its April 28 regular meeting.
For Bellingham residents, the Port's leadership direction has practical consequences. The agency manages Gate 1 and the waterfront district redevelopment, the Squalicum Harbor marina complex, and the airport terminal that serves the region's air travel needs. Decisions made at the executive level shape everything from what businesses operate on Port land to how public access to the shoreline is maintained over time.
DeSimone's appointment comes as the Port navigates several ongoing projects, including Waterfront District redevelopment at the former Georgia-Pacific site, one of the most consequential urban redevelopment efforts in Bellingham's recent history. The transformation of that property into mixed-use development with preserved public waterfront access has been in planning and execution for years, with much of the heavy lifting still ahead.
Community members interested in following Port activities can attend public Commission meetings, which are listed on the Port's website and open to public comment. The Commission meets regularly in Bellingham and agendas are posted in advance.
