The Special Meeting meeting scheduled for 2023-01-19 at Remote

Transcript

The Special Meeting meeting scheduled for 2023-01-19 at Remote

GOOD MORNING
CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? GOOD MORNING
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR TAKING YOUR SEATS
OUR PROGRAM IS ABOUT TO BEGIN
AND THIS MORNING WE GRATEFULLY WELCOME THE RAVEN CLAN SINGERS
GOOD MORNING
[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] WE ARE ALASKAN HAIDAS FROM THE RAVEN CLAN
WE FOLLOW THE CLAN OF OUR MOTHER WE ARE A MATRILINEAL SOCIETY
[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE OUR CULTURE WITH ALL OF YOU TODAY
BUT FIRST, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE ON INDIGENOUS LAND TODAY, THE TRADITIONAL HOME OF THE COAST SALISH PEOPLE
SO RAISE YOUR HAND TO THE COAST SALISH
OUR FIRST SONG HONORS THE MATRIARCH OF OUR HAIDA PEOPLE, THE PADDLE SONG
[SINGING] THANK YOU, GOOD PEOPLE
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE
THE NEXT SONG WE WILL DO IS TO HONOR THE ORCAS, THE KILLER WHALES, BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE OCEAN
OUR PEOPLE KNEW THE OCEAN WELL AND WE CONSIDERED THE ORCAS OUR FAMILY
AND SO THIS SONG IS CALLED I AM A CHILD OF THE OCEAN
AND SEATTLE WAS A PLACE OF TRADING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL
AND SO WE WANTED TO SING THIS SONG FOR YOUR EVENT BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE ALSO PART OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID ON OUR CANOES
AND THE ORCAS TRAVELED WITH US
AND THE TRANSLATION OF THIS SONG IS I'M A CHILD OF THE OCEAN I HEAR HER CALLING TO ME THROUGH THE SONG OF MY RELATIVE KILLER WHALE I HEAR HER CALLING TO ME [SINGING] THANK YOU, FRIENDS, FOR SHARING OUR CULTURE WITH US TODAY
HAIDAS HAVE NO WORD FOR GOODBYE IN OUR LANGUAGE
OUR LANGUAGE WAS VERY CLOSE TO EXTINCTION BECAUSE OUR ANCESTORS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK IT IN THE SCHOOLS
BUT WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK, SO WE HAVE NO WORD FOR GOODBYE
INSTEAD, WE SAY HOUSE DUNS PIN SONG
WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN
[SINGING] EVERYONE AT THE PORT AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR
WE HELPED LEAD OUR REGION A RECOVERY FROM THE IMPACTS OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
WE OPENED MAJOR FACILITIES THAT SET THE STAGE FOR OUR FUTURE AND WE PUT FORWARD MAJOR AMBITIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY
WITH THE N CONCOURSE AND THE INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY, PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SEE OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF SEA
SO THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE A TIME OF TREMENDOUS TRANSFORMATION
WE ARE BREATHING LIFE INTO THIS BUILDING TODAY AND WE ARE GROUNDING IT WITH THE VALUES THAT WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE
AS THE COVID RECOVERY CONTINUES, DEMAND FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL THIS SUMMER IS SURGING AND TRAVELERS IN OUR REGION ARE EAGER TO FLY
BETWEEN THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND THIS FALL, WE HAVE ADDED NO FEWER THAN NINE BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO WELCOME ALL TRAVELERS FROM ISTANBUL TO THIS NEW INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH PROJECTS TO MAKE TRAVEL MORE PREDICTABLE, INCREASE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AT THE AIRPORT, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY HELP YOU CONNECT TO THE PEOPLE AND PLACES WHERE YOU NEED TO BE
THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MOMENT
WE SEE A NEW RECOGNITION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OCEAN ECONOMY
WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL HERE IN PUGET SOUND TO BE A LEADER IN MARITIME
THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS
THE REALITY IS WE'RE BRINGING EXTRA CAPACITY HERE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, TO THE PUGET SOUND AREA
THE CRUISE SEASON IS BACK
WE ARE BACK
LIKE MANY BUSINESSES, WE HAD TO PIVOT AND ADJUST TO THE MAGNITUDE OF CHANGES COMING OUR WAY
HAVING THE CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY BACK AND FORTH ON THE SEATTLE WATERFRONT IS SUCH A RELIEF TO MY BUSINESS
I RELY ON THESE BOATS TO BRING GUESTS TO MY BUSINESS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
TO GET THERE, WE REALLY HAVE TO PRESS FORWARD WITH INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY AS OUR CORE PRINCIPLES
WELL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR PRIORITY IS TO BECOME THE MOST SUSTAINABLE PORT IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT REQUIRES INNOVATION
WE ARE NOW JUST BEGINNING EXPLORATION ON INTERACTING WITH THE VESSEL THROUGH THE QUIET SOUND PROGRAM
THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE EVEN WORRYING ABOUT MEASURING NOISE, THAT AWARENESS IS CRITICAL
THE COMMUNITY ASKS FOR THE PORT OF SEATTLE TO BUILD A SAFE, CLEAN GATHERING SPACE FOR THE DUWAMISH VALLEY COMMUNITIES
WE ARE PART OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT THAT IS LITERALLY GOING TO MAKE THE WORLD A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SAFER PLACE
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND INCLUSION, WE REALLY STRESS THAT THIS WORK TAKES A LONG TIME, BUT YOU CAN AND SHOULD PRESS FOR PROGRESS EVERY YEAR
YEAH, SO WE JUST LAUNCHED THE CAREER LAUNCH PROGRAM AND REALLY THAT PROGRAM FOCUSES ON CREATING PATHWAYS TO PERMANENT JOBS
YEAH, I'M LOVING THE ENERGY
I'M LOVING THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY CAME OUT
THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT THAT WE'VE HAD IN ALMOST TWO YEARS
IT'S A REMARKABLE TESTAMENT TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS BECAUSE I BELIEVE YOU CAN SAY THIS IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE WAY WE WORK TODAY
NOTHING ABOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN CERTAIN OR EASY, BUT WE STAY FOCUSED ON OUR MISSION AND ADAPTED TO EVERY NEW CHALLENGE THAT CAME OUR WAY
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND PARTNERS, WE CONTINUE TO DELIVER FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
MORNING EVERYONE
HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING FOR THE 2023 STATE OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE BREAKFAST
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THIS BROUGHT, THIS WAS BROADCAST AS A VIRTUAL EVENT FROM A SOUNDSTAGE IN SODO IT'S MUCH BETTER TO BE HERE IN PERSON, WOULDN'T YOU THINK? I MEAN, DON'T YOU THINK? YEAH, BUT IT'S ALSO GREAT
ONE OF THE LESSONS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IS IT'S ALSO GREAT BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE THAT CAN'T MAKE IT TODAY ARE WITH US VIRTUALLY
SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE HYBRID TYPE THINGS THAT WE'VE LEARNED, I THINK, COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE TAKING THIS TIME THIS MORNING, THE PORT OF SEATTLE TOUCHES EVERYONE'S LIFE HERE IN THE REGION AND IN FACT, THE STATE, WHETHER PEOPLE KNOW IT OR NOT
SO TAKING TIME TO REFLECT ON THE NEAR PAST AND OUR FUTURE IS TIME WELL SPENT
ANOTHER WAY WE UNDERSTAND OUR PAST AND WORK TOWARDS OUR FUTURE IS BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE NATIVE PEOPLE WHO CALLED THIS LAND HOME AND WHO CONTINUE TO WORK AND LIVE HERE
KEEPING IN MIND THE INTEGRITY OF THIS TERRITORY AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF NATIVE TRIBES IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HOW WE WORK TOWARDS OUR FUTURE TOGETHER
I HAVE A FEW MORE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I NEED TO MAKE THIS MORNING
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY ELECTED AND CONSULAR OFFICIALS AND STAFF REPRESENTATIVES JOINING US HERE TODAY
TODAY WE HAVE SOME OF THE STRONGEST ALIGNMENT ON POLICY PRIORITIES THAT I'VE SEEN BETWEEN THE PORT AND ELECTED LEADERS AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUING EFFORTS
THANK YOU ALSO TO OUR MUSEUM OF FLIGHT HOSTS AND THEIR STAFFS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO PREPARED AND ARE SERVING OUR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE RAVEN CLAN SINGERS, THE HIGHLAND JAZZ ENSEMBLE, SEATTLE COLLEGES AND PORT STAFF AND OTHERS WHO MADE TODAY'S EVENT POSSIBLE
AND LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
THE PORT IS NOT A STANDALONE ORGANIZATION
IT IS A PARTNERSHIP OF TENANTS, VENDORS, CONTRACTORS, CONCESSIONNAIRES AND NEIGHBORS
OUR SUCCESS IS YOUR SUCCESS AND VICE VERSA
I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I VALUE OUR CONNECTION AND FOR WHAT WE WHAT YOU DO TO HELP US DELIVER TO THE REGION AND BEYOND
AND TOGETHER WE DELIVERED A LOT
IN 2022, WITH OUR AIRLINE, TENANT AND LABOR PARTNERS, WE SUBSTANTIALLY RECOVERED OPERATIONS AT SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THIS YEAR, DOMESTIC TRAVEL IS BACK AND WITH A LOT OF PENT UP DEMAND, AS ANYBODY WHO'S TRAVELED THROUGH SEA KNOWS THAT
WE ALSO OPENED THE NEW INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY IN MAY
THIS SIGNATURE FACILITY OPENED JUST IN TIME TO WELCOME THE RECOVERY OF GLOBAL AIR TRAVEL
DEMAND FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TO SEATTLE REMAINS HIGH DUE TO OUR CRITICAL LOCATION BETWEEN BOTH ASIA AND EUROPE
WE WELCOME FOUR NEW INTERNATIONAL SERVICES TO SEA: AIR TAHITI NUI TO PAPIT TAHITI, AIR CANADA TO MONTREAL TURKISH AIR TO ISTANBUL, AND FINN AIR TO HELSINKI
WE'RE THINKING ABOUT COMING UP WITH A SPECIAL AWARD FOR THAT PERSON OR PERSONS THAT TRAVEL TO ALL FOUR OF THOSE DESTINATIONS
WE ACTUALLY HAVE MORE INTERNATIONAL SERVICES TODAY THAN WE DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH OF OF OUR AIRPORT
BY THE END OF 2022, WE WERE JUST 11% DOWN FROM RECORD HIGH PASSENGER VOLUME IN 2019
AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY EXCEED PRE PANDEMIC PASSENGER VOLUMES AS EARLY AS 2023 OR 2024
TURNING TO MARITIME OUR CRUISE AND TOURISM PARTNERS- WITH OUR CRUISE AND TOURISM PARTNERS, WE HOSTED A RECORD SETTING CRUISE SEASON
WHEN WE LOST AN ENTIRE CRUISE SEASON IN 2020, I SAID THAT CRUISE WOULD COME BACK SAFER, MORE HEALTHY, AND BETTER THAN BEFORE
AND WE HAVE NOT JUST BY SETTING NEW PASSENGER VOLUME RECORDS, BUT ALSO BY LEADING A NEW INITIATIVE TO EXPLORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD'S FIRST CRUISE LED GREEN CORRIDOR BETWEEN HERE AND ALASKA
THIS GROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVE IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORT AND CITIES IN ALASKA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE CRUISE INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
TOGETHER LOOKING AT THE FEASIBILITY OF USING LOW OR ZERO CARBON FUELS IN OPERATIONS FOR CRUISE SHIPS OPERATING ON THE WASHINGTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA ITINERARIES
WITH OUR COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY AND LABOR PARTNERS
WE ALSO OPENED TWO MORE MARQUEE PROJECTS IN 2022: THE NEW DUWAMISH RIVER PEOPLES PARK IN SHORELINE HABITAT AND THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE
WITH THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE MODERNIZED TERMINAL FIVE
REGARDING REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, WE ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
LAST YEAR, WE REDUCED OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AT THE AIRPORT BY 50% THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS
AND BY THE WAY, THIS YEAR OUR MARITIME DIVISION WILL DO THE SAME
THIS WILL HELP REDUCE OUR MARITIME SCOPE ONE AND TWO EMISSIONS BY ALMOST HALF
WHILE WE WORK ON LONG TERM SOLUTIONS IN BUILDING OUT ELECTRIFICATION
WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL PARTNERS, WE LAUNCHED A GREW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND COMMUNITY LED ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AS WELL
WE DID ALL OF THAT TOGETHER WHILE CONFRONTING NATIONAL AND GLOBAL CROSSWINDS OR STORMY SEAS
PICK YOUR METAPHOR FOR YOUR MARITIME OR AVIATION
THE UNCERTAINTY WE FACED WITH INFLATION, EMPLOYEE VACANCIES SURGES AND PASSENGER DEMAND, THE WAR IN UKRAINE, ECONOMIC INEQUITIES, THE LINGERING PANDEMIC AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS MADE OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2022 ALL THE MORE REMARKABLE
AND YET, THESE CHALLENGES ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU NEED FOR US TO DELIVER AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL AS WE GO FORWARD
THAT IS OUR PLAN FOR 2023
THIS YEAR, WE WILL TAKE ON THE LARGEST SET OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN OUR HISTORY
THE AIRPORT'S FIVE YEAR, $4.6 BILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WILL MAKE OUR AIRPORT SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE SUSTAINABLE
DUE TO THE WORK IN OUR SMALL FOOTPRINT
HOWEVER, AT TIMES YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE FLYING OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE
IT IS BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY REBUILDING OUR AIRCRAFT AS WE'RE FLYING IT, AND THAT'S JUST WHERE WE ARE
THEREFORE, IN 2023, WE WILL LAUNCH A NEW UPGRADE SEA CAMPAIGN TO HELP YOU FLY PAST CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS FROM CURB TO GATE
THESE UPGRADE SEA PROJECTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE DEMAND WE HAVE TODAY
AND ANYBODY WHO'S EXPERIENCED OUR NEW FACILITIES CAN SEE WHERE WE WERE AND THEN WHAT THE NEW FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE
BUT WE'RE ALSO PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE
WE ARE WORKING ON OUR COMMITMENT TO MAKE OUR AIRPORT AS EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE LIMITED FOOTPRINT THAT WE HAVE AT SEA
WE ARE CONDUCTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF OUR SUSTAINABLE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, OR SAMP
THE PLAN THE SAMP PROPOSES MEETING FUTURE DEMAND WITH MORE THAN 30 NEARTERM PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE CAPACITY, EFFICIENCY, SAFETY AND ACCESS AT THE AIRPORT
THE PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF OUR SAMP HAS BEEN EXTENDED BUT IS STILL UNDERWAY
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE FAA TO PREPARE FOR THE RELEASE OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN 2024
ON THE WATERFRONT OUR MARITIME AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS WILL SPEND 522,000,000 OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY, PROVIDE GOOD PAYING CONSTRUCTION AND MARITIME INDUSTRIAL JOBS, AND ANCHOR OUR REGION AS A MARITIME LEADER
PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN 2023 INCLUDE VESSEL BERTH REPLACEMENTS AND UPLANDS DEVELOPMENT AT TERMINAL 91, BUILDING OUT CRUISE SHIP SHORE POWER AT PIER 66, AND THE FINAL STEPS TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARITIME INNOVATION CENTER AT FISHERMAN'S TERMINAL, WHERE WE WILL BE TAKING ONE OF THE OLDEST BUILDINGS ON PORT PROPERTY AND TURNING IT INTO NOT JUST THE HOME OF SUSTAINABLE MARITIME INNOVATION, BUT ONE OF THE GREENEST BUILDINGS EVER TO BE BUILT IN OUR REGION
THIS YEAR, WE'RE ALSO SUPPORTING THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE ON THE SECOND PHASE OF TERMINAL FIVE, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL MARITIME MODERNIZATION PROJECTS IN OUR HARBOR
THIS IMPRESSIVE PROJECT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORT OF TACOMA THROUGH THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE
NWSA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OR CEO ACTUALLY, CEO JOHN WOLF CONTINUES TO BE A FANTASTIC PARTNER, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SUCCESS OF THIS JOINT ENDEAVOR
OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS WILL ALSO INCREASE THIS YEAR
IN 2023, THE PORT WILL ADD 2.5 MILLION TO SPENDING ON COMMUNITY FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AND ECONOMIC EQUITY, FOR A TOTAL OF 19.1 MILLION IN 2023
THESE INVESTMENTS SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE SOUTH KING COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, DIVERSITY AND CONTRACTING PROGRAMS MAJOR INITIATIVES FROM OUR OFFICE OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND TOURISM MARKETING SUPPORT FOR WASHINGTON STATE DESTINATIONS
IT TAKES A STRONG TEAM TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WE HAVE PLANNED, AND WE HAVE ONE HERE AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE
THIS YEAR, THE PORT WILL MAKE A LARGER INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS, THE LARGEST THAT WE'VE HAD EVER THAN EVER BEFORE
THE SUCCESS OF OUR PORT IN THE REGION DEPENDS ON OUR PEOPLE BEING SAFE, TRAINED, RESOURCED AND READY FOR THE WORK AHEAD
LAST YEAR, WE ONBOARDED MORE THAN 560 EMPLOYEES FOR NEW POSITIONS IN BACK FILL, WHICH IS TWICE AS MANY AS WE ONBOARDED IN 2021
AND ALL OF YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE TO ONBOARD THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE
AND WE'RE NOT DONE YET, AND THERE ARE MANY POSITIONS AVAILABLE
MATTER OF FACT, WE ARE HIRING
SO I'M GOING TO CALL OUT KATIE GERARD, OUR SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO MAKE A CHANGE AND TRUST ME, THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT, TALKING ABOUT HR IS THAT I TALKED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE IAF IN ACCOMPLISHING THAT
AND WE HAVE A LONG TERM EMPLOYEE, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, DAVE SOCKI, WHO'S OVER HERE
DAVE DOESN'T WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED, BUT DAVE HAS OVER 40 YEARS AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE, IS AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE
HE'S MY RIGHT HAND PERSON
AND REALLY, DAVE WILL BE RETIRING IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR
AND IN FRONT OF THIS CROWD, THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME HE'S HERE AS A CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
HE'S NOW THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DAVE IN FRONT OF THIS GROUP FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THOSE 40 YEARS
LIKE MANY OF YOU, FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, OUR WORK HAS BEEN HEAVILY DEFINED BY OUR RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC
YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST JUST REFLECTING WITH DAVID FUKUHARA ABOUT ABOUT HOW THE HOW SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THESE PAST THREE YEARS, SOMETIMES IT'S GONE BY LIKE THAT, AND SOMETIMES IT'S BEEN STRETCHED OUT AND IT SEEMS LIKE DOG YEARS IN THOSE YEARS
BUT WE'RE ON THE OTHER SIDE
I KNEW WE WOULD GET HERE
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHEN WE WERE GOING TO GET HERE
BUT WE'RE HERE NOW
WE HELPED LEAD OUR REGION'S RECOVERY BY FOCUSING ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES, TRAVELERS, WORKERS IN THE COMMUNITY
AND WE DID THAT TOGETHER AND BY KEEPING OUR GATEWAYS OPERATING, ADVANCING OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND FURTHER INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY
TODAY, I BELIEVE WE'RE FINALLY AT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN SPEND LESS TIME RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC AND INSTEAD SPEND MORE TIME FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
IT FEELS GOOD TO BE HERE
LATER IN THE PROGRAM, COMMISSION PRESIDENT SAM CHO WILL SHARE MORE ON THAT VISION OF THE FUTURE
PLEASE KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT NAIVE ABOUT THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGES AND UNCERTAINTY WE WILL FACE IN 2023 AND BEYOND
HOWEVER, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE PREPARED
AND JUST AS IMPORTANT, OUR CONNECTION TO ALL OF YOU MAKES US MORE EFFECTIVE AND AN INNOVATIVE ORGANIZATION
OUR CONNECTION TO YOU IS WHAT MAKES THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PORT STRONG
ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE PORT, THANK YOU FOR HELPING US DELIVER EVERY DAY
[APPLAUSE] IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO WORK DAILY WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES, OUR PORT COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS CALKINS, CHO, FELLEMAN, HASEGAWA, AND MOHAMED EACH BRING TO THE PORT THE VALUES OF THE COMMUNITY THEY REPRESENT, AS WELL AS INCREDIBLY RICH, LIVED AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE DIVERSITY EXPERIENCE OF OUR COMMISSION IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST STRENGTHS
LAST YEAR, COMMISSIONER RYAN CALKINS LED OUR COMMISSION AS ITS PRESIDENT
COMMISSIONER CALKINS IS A STRONG, VISIONARY LEADER WHO PUSHED US FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CALKINS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP THIS LAST YEAR
SO WITH THAT, IT'S NOW MY HONOR AND PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE COMMISSIONER RYAN CALKINS
COMMISSIONER CALKINS
[APPLAUSE] AND I'M GOING TO START BY RETURNING THE FAVOR
STEVE AND I JOINED THE PORT ABOUT A MONTH APART
IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DECISIONS THAT I GOT TO MAKE AS A COMMISSIONER ELECT, ACTUALLY, WAS TO SIT DOWN WITH STEVE AND INTERVIEW HIM AS HE WAS A FINALIST FOR THE ROLE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AND I THINK IT'S THE BEST DECISION I'VE MADE AS A COMMISSIONER TO BRING THIS MAN ON
SO LET'S GIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR METRUCK A HAND
[APPLAUSE] WHICH DOVETAILS PERFECTLY WITH THE ONE MESSAGE I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET ACROSS HERE THIS MORNING IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THAT I HAVE
AS I WAS REFLECTING ON WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE PORT IN MY TWO MINUTES, I KEPT GOING BACK TO THIS CHILDREN'S SONG THAT I SANG AS A KID IN SUNDAY SCHOOL AND SO SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW IT, WHO CAME OUT OF A SIMILAR TRADITION
BUT THE CHORUS IS PRETTY SIMPLE
IT SAYS, THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING, THE CHURCH IS NOT A STEEPLE, THE CHURCH IS NOT A RESTING PLACE
THE CHURCH IS A PEOPLE
AND FOR ME, THAT NOTION APPLIES TO OUR PORT AS WELL
AS WE CONSIDER THE STATE OF THE PORT, I WANT US TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE PORT IS NOT A MARINA, THE PORT IS NOT A CONCOURSE
THE PORT IS NOT A WAREHOUSE
THE PORT IS ITS PEOPLE
AND TODAY I CAN SAY TO YOU, I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER HAD A STRONGER SET OF PEOPLE AT THE PORT THAN TODAY
MAYBE YOU SAW THE COVERAGE JUST THIS LAST WEEK OF SOME OF THE REMARKABLE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE PORT OF SEATTLE
THE SEATTLE TIMES COVERED GEORGE BLOMBERG AND HIS 40 YEARS OF WORK RECOVERING THE DUWAMISH RIVER AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL MISUSE
THE KUOW DID A STORY ON POLICE OFFICER MICHELLE BRUGEL, WHO HAS PIONEERED A PATHBREAKING PROGRAM AT SEA CALLED SEA CARES, WHERE SHE WORKS WITH THOSE FOLKS WHO COME TO THE AIRPORT WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND SHE WORKS TO FIND THEM SERVICES THAT WAS PICKED UP BY NATIONAL PRESS BECAUSE OF HOW PATHBREAKING IT IS
AND OF COURSE, I'M SURE MANY OF YOU SAW THE ARTICLES COVERING THE HISTORIC ELECTION OF COMMISSIONER CHO AND HASEGAWA TO BE OUR OFFICERS THIS YEAR AT THE COMMISSION
TRULY, THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF STORIES OF REMARKABLE WORK BY THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE PORT OF SEATTLE
AND I AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO GET TO BE ONE OF THOSE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THIS INSTITUTION
BUT IT'S NOT JUST OUR BADGED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE PORT
WE ARE JUST A SMALL PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM THAT IS THE PORT
IN FACT, AT VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR FACILITIES, EXCEPT MAYBE HEADQUARTERS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PORT PEOPLE AREN'T BADGED EMPLOYEES
INSTEAD, THEY'RE THE BAGGAGE HANDLERS WHO WORK FOR THE AIRLINES OR THE DREY TRUCK DRIVERS WHO ARE TAKING THE CONTAINERS TO AND FROM THE PORT, OR THE TENANTS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AT FISHERMAN'S TERMINAL AND ELSEWHERE IN OUR ECOSYSTEM
AND TODAY I GET TO INTRODUCE A VIDEO ABOUT JUST ONE LITTLE SLICE OF THAT PORT ECOSYSTEM OF PEOPLE
IT'S THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO HAVE MADE SEA A PLACE TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS AND TO MAKE THE PORT MORE VIBRANT AND WELCOMING FOR OUR PASSENGERS
AND SO AS I QUEUE THAT UP, I KNOW THAT I'M WALKING AWAY TODAY, THIS MORNING, WITH A SENTIMENT THAT I DIDN'T EXPECT TO GET TODAY, WHICH IS, AND I'M GOING TO USE MY LAST MOMENT TO SAY THIS, I AM EXCITED TO KNOW THAT WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN
AND SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THE VIDEO
GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY
HOW ARE YOU DOING? LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN
HOW ARE YOU FEELING? ALL RIGHT
WELL, MY NAME IS TOSHIKO HASEGAWA
I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSIONER AND THIS YEAR AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION
AND I'M TRULY SO HONORED TO BE WITH YOU ALL HERE THIS MORNING TO HELP SHOWCASE THE AMAZING WORK THAT'S UNDERWAY HERE AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE
I CAME TO THIS INSTITUTION A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WITH THE PHILOSOPHY THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ALL GO HAND IN HAND, THAT WHEN YOU ADVANCE GOALS IN ONE OF THESE AREAS, THEN IT'S GOING TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE OTHERS
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE POSSESS THE EXPERTISE, THE RESOURCES AND THE PARTNERSHIPS NEEDED TO ANSWER TO OUR COLLECTIVE CHALLENGES CLIMATE CHANGE, A RECESSION, ATTRITION, POVERTY AND ILLNESS
BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL PEOPLE COMING TO THE TABLE
THE PORT OF SEATTLE IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BE A CONVENER FOR INDUSTRIES, BUSINESSES, LABOR AND COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER AND HELP CHART OUR SHARED COURSE FORWARD
IT'S AN EXCITING MOMENT TO BE AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE WHERE WE'RE POISED TO MAKE A HOLISTIC POSITIVE CHANGE FOR PEOPLE AND OUR PLANET
YOU SEE, AMERICA IS AT THE BRINK OF A PARADIGM SHIFT, ONE WHERE WE STEP OUT OF A FOSSIL FUEL PARADIGM AND INTO A MODERN, COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
AND THAT SHIFT IS STARTING RIGHT HERE AT OUR DOORSTEP
I AM SO PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT THE PORT HAS DEMONSTRATED THUS FAR IN HELPING FACILITATE A JUST TRANSITION
WE'RE TRAVELING THE WORLD TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN SHAPE OUR SUPPLY CHAIN
TO PROMOTE CLEAN FUEL INDUSTRIES LIKE HYDROGEN AND OFFSHORE WIND AND SOLAR, WE SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND CONGRESS FOR INVESTMENTS INTO MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS
WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED ABOUT $100 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS FROM THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW
WE'RE GOING FOR MORE FROM THAT AND FROM THE NEW INFLATION REDUCTION ACT
WE'RE EXPLORING THE PROSPECT OF HIGH SPEED RAIL TO EFFICIENTLY ACCOMMODATE OUR REGION'S GROWING TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
AVIATION AND MARITIME ARE REVOLUTIONIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY, THEIR OPERATIONS AND THEIR CULTURE
AND THE PORT HAS QUADRUPLED ITS INVESTMENT INTO CAREER READINESS PROGRAMS LIKE THE YOUTH MARITIME INITIATIVE AND GREEN JOBS
WE'VE EXPANDED OUR PROGRAMS SUPPORTING WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, LABOR AND APPRENTICESHIPS, AND NONPROFITS
AND PROUDLY, AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR METRUCK MENTIONED, WE EARMARKED A HISTORIC $19 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING WITH HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH KING COUNTY, THE DUWAMISH VALLEY AND SOUTH SEATTLE
THIS PAST YEAR HAS LAID AN INCREDIBLE FOUNDATION FOR THE HONEST WORK AHEAD
INDEED, IT'S WHAT WE DO NEXT AND HOW WE DO IT THAT MATTERS THE VERY MOST
NOW, I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH TWO POWERFUL EXAMPLES OF HOW WE CAN COME TO THE TABLE TOGETHER
FIRST OF ALL, IS PCAT IN THE HOUSE? I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ONE MOMENT TO SHOUT YOU OUT, AS WELL AS THE DUWAMISH RIVER COMMUNITY COALITION AND THE MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN THE TENACIOUS WORK TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY DUWAMISH RIVER AS WELL AS ITS ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOODS
AND THAT INCLUDES THE RELIEF THAT YOU RECENTLY PROVIDED TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE KING TIDE LAST DECEMBER
THIS IS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN ACTION
YOU KEEP LEADING
AND SECOND, GIVE IT UP FOR PCAT
[APPLAUSE] AND SECOND, THIS YEAR WE OPENED THE LONG AWAITED, MUCH NEEDED AND COMMUNITY NAMED DUWAMISH RIVER PEOPLE'S PARK
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
WE CAN CLEAN THE RIVER AND THIS PARK IS THE PROOF
THIS WORK IS A MODEL AND AN INSPIRATION FOR THE FUTURE
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PART IN HELPING US ACHIEVE OUR MISSION IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE WAY
IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO BE A PART- IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL OF YOU
THANK YOU
GOOD MORNING
HELLO
WELL NICE TO SEE YOU ALL
I'M YOUR PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSIONER FRED FELLEMAN AND DESPITE THIS UNGODLY HOUR, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL HERE TODAY AND REALLY EPITOMIZES THE THEME OF MY BRIEF COMMENTS TODAY THAT IT'S THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE US WHAT WE ARE
SO THANKS FOR SHOWING UP
NOW, THIS PICTURE OF ME AT THE PACIFIC SHIPYARD UNDERNEATH THE VIRGINIA FIVE SORT OF DEPICTS MY AGE
I THINK IT'S SORT OF SYMBOLIC OF MY AGE, BUT IT ALSO UNDERSCORES HOW I WANT TO REALLY EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION, BOTH FOR THE PARTNERSHIPS I'VE FORMED OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS WITH DEDICATED COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF AS THEY CHANGE
I CAN TELL YOU HOW GREAT IT IS TO WORK WITH THIS GROUP OF FOLKS AS WELL AS THE STAFF WHO MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS POSSIBLE
SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN ME IN THANKING THE STAFF AS WELL AS GIVING IT UP AGAIN FOR THE RAVEN CLAN SINGERS
PLEASE
SO, AS I SAID, STRONG PARTNERSHIPS ARE NEEDED TO BUILD A RESILIENT ECONOMY WHICH IS INTRINSICALLY LINKED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR WAY OF LIFE
THAT'S ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF SUCH CHALLENGES AS CLIMATE CHANGE, THE DECLINING DECLINATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, AS WELL AS THE NEED TO ATTRACT ENOUGH SKILLED TRADESPEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT, WHO ARE CRITICAL TO BUILDING A JUST TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
NOW, I'D LIKE TO SHARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND LET'S START WITH THE BIG ONE CLIMATE CHANGE
SO IT'S OFTEN REFERRED TO AS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT, BUT IT'S ALSO SAID OFTEN THAT BIG CHALLENGES BRING BIG OPPORTUNITIES
SO ONE OF THE WAYS THE PORT IS WORKING TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT IS BY BRINGING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS, OR SAF, TO SEA
SINCE SAF IS NOT PRODUCED FROM PETROLEUM, IT'S USE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES BOTH THE EMISSIONS OF CO2 AS WELL AS CONVENTIONAL POLLUTANTS, THEREBY BENEFITTING THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND COMMUNITIES
WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AIRLINES BOEING, KING COUNTY, WSU AND DOD, AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL LAWMAKERS TO INCENTIVIZE THE USE AND PRODUCTION OF SAF IN SEATTLE, THE WHOLE REGION
NOW, FOR EXAMPLE, KING COUNTY AND THE PORT JUST JOINTLY FUNDED A STUDY, GOOD TIMING TO SEE ABOUT FINANCING THE USE OF THE COUNTY'S MUNICIPAL WASTE, WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD GO TO ITS RAPIDLY FILLING CEDAR HILLS LANDFILL AS A FEEDSTOCK FOR SAF, AND WE'RE EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES WITH DOD TO REFINE IT LOCALLY
NOW, ON TO TOURISM, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THOSE APPRECIATIONS OF THANKS HERE THAT AS THE OWNER OF THE LARGEST AIRPORT IN THE REGION AND THE BUSIEST CRUISE OPERATION ON THE WEST COAST, TOURISM IS A BIG PART OF WHO WE ARE AS THE PORT
IT'S ALSO A GREAT EXAMPLE OF OUR COLLABORATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING WASHINGTON STATE TOURISM
VISIT SEATTLE AND MANY SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
SERVING ON THE SEATTLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BEING RECENTLY APPOINTED TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S TRAVEL AND TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL
I'M KEENLY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE TOURISM HAS PLAYED TOWARD THE RECOVERY OF BOTH THE SERVICE INDUSTRY IN SEATTLE AND ALASKA
MY CURRENT FOCUS IS ON EXPANDING THE INTEREST IN THOSE ATTRACTIONS TO BENEFIT MORE RURAL PARTS OF WASHINGTON STATE, WHICH RETAIN SOME OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF OUR NATION'S NATURAL DIVERSITY
TO THAT END, THIS PAST FALL THE PORT PARTNERED WITH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON TOURISM TO PRODUCE THE FIRST RESPONSIBLE OUTDOOR TRAVEL SUMMIT
THE GOAL OF THE SUMMIT WAS TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT TRAVELERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE CAN EXPERIENCE THE GREAT OUTDOORS WHILE STEWARDING NATURAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS THEY VISIT
NOW, I CAN'T MAKE THESE REMARKS WITHOUT MENTIONING ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUBJECTS KILLER WHALES
SO MY BACKGROUND AS A KILLER WHALE BIOLOGIST MAY BE NOVEL TO PORT COMMISSIONER
I BET YOU THERE WAS NEVER ONE BEFORE
BUT IT TURNS OUT TO BE PERTINENT IN THAT THE PORT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY HAS SIGNIFICANT CLEANUP AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS AS YOU HEARD OF SOME UNDERWAY FROM KELP TO KILLER WHALES
IT'S ALSO CRITICAL THAT THE PORT RETAINS GOOD WORKING RELATIONS WITH TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS WHOSE REVERENCE TO THE WHALES HAS BEEN PART OF BUILDING MY TRIBAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
AND I THINK OUR RAVEN CLAN SINGERS DID A GREAT JOB OF REINFORCING THAT POINT
SO ONE OF THE WAYS THE PORT IS INVOLVED WITH AIDING THE WHALE'S RECOVERY IS BY HELPING REDUCE UNDERWATER NOISE THAT MASKS THE SONAR THE WHALES USED TO DETECT SALMON
AND THAT'S MY PHOTOGRAPH
SLOWING VESSEL SPEED REDUCES THE UNDERWATER NOISE
AND SINCE 2014, THE PORT OF VANCOUVER'S ECHO PROGRAM HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT HIGH DEGREE TO WHICH MARINERS ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS VOLUNTARY SLOWDOWN PROGRAM WHEN THE WHALES ARE PRESENT
WITH SEED FUNDING FROM THE PORTS OF SEATTLE, TACOMA, THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE, ALONG WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND AGENCIES, A DIVERSE GROUP COMPRISED OF TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, MARITIME PROFESSIONALS AND NGOS CREATED THE QUIET SOUND PROGRAM FOR WASHINGTON WATERS, WHICH JUST WRAPPED UP ITS FIRST SUCCESSFUL SLOWDOWN PILOT PROJECT THIS MONTH
YOU'RE GETTING IDEA THERE'S A LOT OF COMMAS, A LOT OF PARTNERSHIPS, RIGHT? SO IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO MENTION ONE OF OUR NEWEST PARTNERS, THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM
THE PORT RECENTLY SIGNED AN MOU WITH THE AQUARIUM THAT INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUGET SOUND WALK EXHIBIT WHICH WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THEIR OCEAN PAVILION THAT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION BELOW THE PIKE PLACE MARKET
YOU SAW IT, WHICH CREATES ALL THAT GOOD TRAFFIC
SO OVER A MILLION VISITORS A YEAR WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE PORT'S GREAT ENVIRONMENTAL WORK AND INNOVATIVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AS THEY LOOK OUT OVER ELLIOTT BAY FROM THE EXPANDED AQUARIUM
SO LET ME END BY SAYING THANKS AGAIN AND BEING HERE FOR ALL OUR PARTNERS FOR HELPING US RISE TO THE CHALLENGES AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE DAY
AND NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS SHORT FILM ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM
THANKS AGAIN
GOOD MORNING
MY NAME IS HAMDI MOHAMMED AND I AM ONE OF YOUR PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSIONER
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF YOU
TO BE HERE IN PERSON, THE STATE OF THE PORT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS BECAUSE IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER AND WHERE WE'RE GOING IN THE FUTURE
YOU GET TO HEAR ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PORT'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT WE ARE PROJECTING FOR THE FUTURE
THE PROGRESS ON THE MOST CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
FROM THE OPENING OF T FIVE, WE'RE STILL CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE AND ALSO THE CHANGES TO OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS
SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOW IT CONTINUES TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE PORT OF SEATTLE
WE'VE SEEN IT ALL IN THE LAST TWO YEARS
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE DOING EVERYTHING WE COULD TO SAVE JOBS
NOW WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING BACK WORKERS INTO PORT RELATED INDUSTRIES
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PIPELINE OF INTERESTED EMPLOYEES IS THE BEST BUFFER AGAINST THOSE SWINGS IN THE LABOR MARKET
I WAS VERY PROUD THAT ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WAS HELP DIRECT CRUISE RECOVERY REVENUES TOWARDS AND TO EXPAND OUR YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A $4.1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE YOUTH CAREER LAUNCH PROGRAM EXPLORES HOW WE TAKE A CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM INTO THE FUTURE
SECONDLY, WE'VE MADE MAJOR PROGRESS ON OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM PROJECTS THIS LAST YEAR
PORT CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTS ABOUT 1300 FULL TIME AND PART TIME CONSTRUCTION JOBS PER MONTH, AND WE THINK WE'RE DOING IT RIGHT
WE ARE OUTPERFORMING OUR GOALS WITH APPRENTICESHIPS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ON THOSE PROJECTS
ALSO, AS A COMMISSIONER LIVING NEAR THE AIRPORT AND EXPERIENCING FIRSTHAND THE UNIQUE ISSUES THAT COMMUNITY FACES, I WANT TO ALSO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR INVESTMENTS IN SOUTH KING COUNTY
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE SOUTH KING COUNTY IMPACTED FUND THAT SUPPORTS OVER 40 ORGANIZATION, THAT HAS HELPED PLANT OVER 700 TREES AND THAT HAS SUPPORTED OVER 3000 EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS
THE PORT OF SEATTLE RECOGNIZES THAT WE NEED TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO THOSE WHO ARE LIVING NEAR THE AIRPORT
SINCE 1985, THE PORT HAS PROVIDED NOISE INSTALLATION FOR ABOUT 9400 HOMES AND 250 CONDOMINIUM UNION UNITS
THERE ARE STILL MANY ISSUES
THERE ARE STILL MANY HOMES THAT REQUIRE INSTALLATION
WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO
WE ARE FOCUSING ON BRINGING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE TABLE AND ARE LOBBYING AT THE STATE LEVEL AND LOBBYING AT CONGRESS, LOBBYING CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THIS PRIORITY IN THE FAA AUTHORIZATION BILL
I WANT TO CONTINUE THIS WORK AND ACCELERATE IT WHERE POSSIBLE SO THAT EVERYONE WHO IS QUALIFIED GETS THE FIX QUICKLY
IN CLOSING, THERE IS A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US
WE'VE PLANTED THE SEEDS FOR MORE PROGRESS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
AND REST ASSURED THAT THE PORT OF SEATTLE, THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE ARE WORKING HARD TO ENSURE OUR INVESTMENTS, OUR ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AND THOSE ACROSS OUR CITY, STATE AND REGION
LASTLY, AS COMMISSIONERS, MANY OF US WORK FULL TIME JOBS OUTSIDE OF OUR OFFICIAL DUTIES
I CAN SAY WITH CERTAINTY THAT THESE PORT ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE ONLY BEEN POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF THOUSANDS OF STAFFS, STAFF MEMBERS, WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FROM AIRPORT BAGGAGE HANDLERS, TO OPERATORS AT OUR GRAIN TERMINALS, FROM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO OUR LONGSHORE MEN
I ALSO AM GRATEFUL TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF EVERY MEMBER OF OUR PORT COMMUNITY
ALL OF YOU, YOU SHOULD GIVE YOURSELVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
[APPLAUSE] THIS WORK CAN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT ALL OF US
NOW I HAVE THE HONOR OF INTRODUCING OUR SOUTH KING COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND GRANT AND KEY TECH LAB LOCATED IN SHARK GARDEN
THEY ARE UPLIFTING OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN SOUTH KING COUNTY
I'VE TOURED THAT SITE AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IS PHENOMENAL
IF YOU GUYS GET A CHANCE, YOU SHOULD CHECK THEM OUT
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME
ALL RIGHT, SO FOR THE 6TH AND LAST TIME, GOOD MORNING
I'M THE CLEANUP ACT
MY NAME IS SAM CHO, PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSION PRESIDENT
I WANT TO FIRST AND FOREMOST THANK EVERYONE WHO MADE TODAY'S EVENT POSSIBLE
STEVE, THANK YOU FOR SETTING THE STAGE THIS MORNING
I KNOW WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE WORK OF YOUR TEAM
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK THE STAFF OF THIS EVENT, SPECIFICALLY, IN PARTICULAR, OUR WONDERFUL SERVERS
CAN WE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR AMAZING WORK
I WANT TO BUILD ON SOMETHING STEVE SAID EARLIER THIS MORNING THAT THE DIVERSITY AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR COMMISSION IS ONE OF OUR PORT'S GREATEST STRENGTHS
I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRUE AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE PORT, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE POWER OF OUR DIVERSITY THIS MORNING
IT IS A POINT OF PRIDE TO US, AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM THAT THIS PORT COMMISSION IS THE MOST RACIALLY REPRESENTATIVE COMMISSION IN THE PORT OF SEATTLE'S HISTORY
IN FACT, THIS TIME LAST YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 110 YEARS, TWO WOMEN OF COLOR JOINED THE COMMISSION
AND JUST LAST WEEK, MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER HASEGAWA WERE ELECTED BY OUR PEERS TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU
MARKING THE FIRST TIME IN THE PORT OF SEATTLE'S HISTORY THAT THE COMMISSIONER IS LED BY TWO ASIAN AMERICANS
BUT AS GREAT AS IT IS TO MAKE HISTORY, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO SET OUR EYES ON THE FUTURE
AND THE FUTURE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE JUST ENTER IN TIME
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CREATE
AND WE HAVE A STRONG VISION FOR A PORT OF THE FUTURE
A FUTURE THAT MAKES US THE GREENEST PORT IN NORTH AMERICA, A FUTURE THAT EMBRACES NEW TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, A FUTURE THAT CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE AND EMBRACE OUR DIVERSITY AND STRIVES FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION
IT IS A VISION FOR A PORT THAT WE DON'T JUST WANT TO BE, BUT A PORT OF THE FUTURE THAT WE MUST BE
LAST YEAR I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING THE PORT OF BUSAN IN SOUTH KOREA ON BEHALF OF THE NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE, SHARM EL-SHEIK EGYPT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS, COP 27 CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE, AND TOKYO AND KOBE, JAPAN AS PART OF A LEADERSHIP DELEGATION
AND IT BECAME QUITE CLEAR TO ME AFTER MEETING WITH LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD, THAT THE PORT OF SEATTLE IS NO LONGER JUST A SMALL REGIONAL PORT, BUT A PORT THAT IS LEADING IN MANY FACETS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL
BUT WHILE LEADING THE PACK IS A GOOD THING, IT ALSO BECAME CLEAR TO ME THAT WE CANNOT SOLVE OUR GREATEST ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS BY USING THE SAME KIND OF THINKING WE USED TO CREATE THEM
AND WE CANNOT SOLVE OUR GREATEST CHALLENGES BY PURSUING THEM ALONE
IN SOUTH KOREA, I MET THE LEADERS WHO WOULD BECOME OUR PARTNERS TO STUDY NEW DECARBONIZED GREEN CONTAINER SHIPPING CORRIDOR BETWEEN PUSAN AND THE PUGET SOUND
IN JAPAN, I SAW THE POTENTIAL TO COLLABORATE AND ADOPT THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES ON HYDROGEN AND HIGH SPEED RAIL
IN EGYPT, I MET LEADERS OF NATIONS WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO MOVE FORWARD IN PARTNERSHIP ON REVERSING THE TRENDS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
EVERYWHERE I WENT, I MET WILLING AND ABLE PARTNERS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL
THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO INVESTED IN OUR COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH PARTNERS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC
FOR INSTANCE, THIS YEAR WE WILL LAUNCH A PILOT PROJECT TO FINALLY BRING 1 MILLION GALLONS OF SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TO OUR AIRPORT
IN AN INNOVATIVE MOVE, THE PORT WILL PURCHASE THE COMMUNITY AIR BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS
NOT ONLY DOES THIS BRING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS INTO OUR MARKET AND REDUCE POLLUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT ALSO STARTS TO TEST OUR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AS WE PREPARE TO SCALE UP ITS USE
IN THE PUGET SOUND
THIS CAN ONLY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP OF OUR MAJOR AIRLINES
WE'RE ALSO PART OF A MULTISTATE COLLABORATION SEEKING TO DEVELOP PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GREEN HYDROGEN AS PART OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S HYDROGEN HUB
AS A PRELIMINARY STEP, WE ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY WITH HYDROGEN SAFETY STUDIES THROUGH THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LAB
IN ADDITION TO EXPLORING NEW DECARBONIZED FUELS, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF USING MACHINE LEARNING TO HELP IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM AIRPLANES, CARS AND TRUCKS
LEVERAGING THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL ALLOW US TO MONITOR OUR GATES AND OUR AIRPORT SURFACES, WHICH WILL HELP US TO TURN OFF MORE ENGINES, REDUCE IDLING, AND PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO HELP EFFECTIVELY MOVE TO LOWER CARBON TRANSPORTATION CHOICES
BUT DO NOT BE MISTAKEN
BECOMING A PORT OF THE FUTURE AND A CLEAN ENERGY HUB WILL ALSO LEAD TO NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
IT WILL LEAD TO JOBS
THROUGH OUR GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE, THE MARITIME BLUE ACCELERATOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS CONNECTOR PROGRAM, AND A NEW EXPORT INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, WE CAN ACCELERATE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENSURING THAT WE INCLUDE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY LEFT BEHIND BY CONNECTING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH A THRIVING, INNOVATIVE AND WELL RUN PORT
WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE EQUITABLE
OUR GATEWAYS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ALREADY SUPPORT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND BILLIONS IN SALES AND TRANSACTIONS
OUR CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION WILL CREATE ANOTHER CRITICAL SOURCE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY
THE PROMISE OF A NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LIKE OFFSHORE WIND WILL CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT NEVER EXISTED BEFORE
AND AS OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PARTNERS, WE ARE ASKING HOW CAN WE HELP YOU BE READY FOR THAT? WHAT I HOPE YOU TAKE AWAY FROM TODAY'S STATE OF THE PORT IS THAT THE STATE OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE IS NOT JUST HEALTHY, BUT IT IS STRONG AND POWERFUL
AND THAT POWER STEMS FROM OUR DIVERSITY
AND I'M NO LONGER JUST TALKING ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF OUR PEOPLE AND THE COMMISSION, BUT WHAT ALLOWS US TO BE POWERFUL AND TAKES US TO THE GLOBAL PLAYING FIELD IS THE BREADTH OF OUR WORK
FROM THE DOCKS OF OUR HARBOR TO THE RUNWAYS OF THE AIRPORT, FROM OUR CRUISE TERMINALS TO OUR GRAIN TERMINALS, FROM REAL ESTATE TO COMMERCIAL FISHING
MANY PORTS HAVE THESE THINGS, BUT NO PORT COULD CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE ALL OF THESE THINGS
I CHALLENGE ANYONE IN THIS ROOM TO FIND A PORT IN NORTH AMERICA THAT IS AS DIVERSE AND AS WELL DIVERSIFIED IN BUSINESSES AS WE ARE
I KNOW FROM HAVING TRAVELED TO MANY PORTS AND CAN SAY WITH THE UTMOST CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE A GLOBAL LEADER IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO PRECISELY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE DO
VERY FEW PORTS IN THE WORLD CAN SAY THAT THEY HAVE IT ALL, BUT WE DO
AND SO, AS WE MODERNIZE SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THROUGH UPGRADE SEA AND CONTINUE TO WELCOME MORE ROUTES AND DESTINATIONS, AS WE MODERNIZE OUR MARITIME INDUSTRIES AND OUR FACILITIES AND BUILD OUT OUR APPROACH TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
WE CONTINUE TO DIVERSIFY OUR PORT AND OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY
THAT DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH
IT IS WHY TODAY THE STATE OF THE PORT IS STRONG AND GETTING STRONGER
IT IS WHY WE EMBARK ON A BOLD VISION
IT IS WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP
TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD THE PORT OF THE FUTURE
SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING AND LET'S GET TO BUILDING
THANK YOU.

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