MOTION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
SELECTING A SEARCH FIRM TO IDENTIFY
CANDIDATES FOR PORT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
ADOPTED FEBRUARY 4, 2014 

TEXT OF THE MOTION 
The Commission hereby selects executive search firm Spencer Stuart as its consultant for the
2014 search for a Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Seattle.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION 
Spencer Stuart is one of the world's leading executive search consulting firms. Founded in 1956
and privately owned, the firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has offices in Seattle.
The firm has broad experience assisting large companies, non-profits, and government agencies
in hiring leaders and executives who have the necessary skill, experience, and qualities to
advance strategies and achieve outstanding results.  Spencer Stuart has extensive global
experience consulting with aviation and maritime interests to identify aviation, transportation,
and logistics leadership.
Spencer Stuart's search process involves understanding a business's strategic requirements and
includes a competency-based assessment tool that takes into account the culture of an
organization to ensure the successful placement of the right candidate. 
The firm's statement of values notes adherence to a code of professional ethics, handling
relationships with clients, candidates, and colleagues with great care. It states in part, "We offer
advice with courage and honesty and treat sensitive information with the utmost respect and
discretion. Above all, we value quality  the quality of the service we provide our clients and the
way we treat our candidates, whether we have been retained to recruit a senior executive, advise
a board, or conduct a leadership assessment exercise."