Minutes Exhibit A
.....-                                                                Port Commission Special
Meeting of September 22, 2015
WN&G
631 Strander Blvd, Suite F                                 September 22, 2015
Tukwila, WA 98188
Port of Seattle Commission
2711 Alaskan Way, Pier 69
Seattle, WA 98121
Re: Action Item 6a, Port Jobs Extension
Dear Commissioners,
My name is Marques Warren, and I am the Vice President of Operations for Warren's News &
Gift, an ACDBE joint venture partner of Hudson News at Sea-Tac Airport. I am here today to
express our continued support of Port Jobs and to ask that you approve the extension of the
contract with Port Jobs to provide airport employment and training services.
Over the years, we have come to depend on the services that Port Jobs provides to provide us
with a link to the surrounding communities; ensuring that we are able to hire a diverse, local
employee base. Furthermore, the training services that Port Jobs provides have proven
essential in supporting our staff to grow within our company through the acquisition of new,
essential skills.
Over the last year, we've participated in three (3) different Port Jobs job fairs, and we can say
that approximately 75% of our staff at Hudson News originates with Port Jobs. Moreover, as an
independent business owner operating in Downtown Seattle, whereby we've been exposed to
evolving wage forces within Seattle city limits, I can confidently say that finding reliable staff is
nonetheless a challenge even for those who offer a living wage. Certainly this is due, in part, to
relatively low unemployment rates in our region.
As the Port evolves in its approach to working with small businesses and larger businesses alike,
I believe we can all agree that Port Jobs is instrumental in our ability to successfully staff our
respective businesses.
Thank you for your time.