Northwest Seaport Alliance Formation
Client: Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma
Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions
Project Summary
In 2014, the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma decided to work together to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance—a new organization unifying management for Seattle and Tacoma marine cargo facilities.
In 2014, the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma decided to work together to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance—a new organization unifying management for Seattle and Tacoma marine cargo facilities. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is the first organization of its kind in North America. This unprecedented level of cooperation between the state’s two largest container ports is a strategic response to the competitive pressures that are reshaping the global shipping industry. The purpose of the Northwest Seaport Alliance is to significantly benefit the economic health of the regional maritime industry by strengthening the Puget Sound gateway, attracting more marine cargo to the region, and increasing the efficiency of terminal improvements for the region. The Northwest Seaport Alliance was formally chartered in August 2015.
Our Approach
Floyd|Snider was engaged jointly by the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma to provide facilitation and project management services to support the formation of the new Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Project Milestones:
2014. Due diligence process began
2015. Northwest Seaport Alliance chartered
Floyd|Snider was engaged jointly by the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma to provide facilitation and project management services to support the formation of the new Northwest Seaport Alliance. During the 10-month Northwest Seaport Alliance due diligence phase, Kate Snider facilitated biweekly meetings with a 16-person team of senior staff from both Ports to produce the proposed Seaport Alliance Agreement and its supporting materials, for deliberation by the joint Port Commission. This included working with the primary team and sub-groups to define and track tasks related to preparation of all organizational formation documents and policies as well as a detailed transition plan. The work also included facilitating key policy discussions regarding primary organizational philosophies and preparing support materials for commission meetings and public meetings throughout the process.
Project Milestones:
2014. Due diligence process began
2015. Northwest Seaport Alliance chartered
Project Team
The creation of Northwest Seaport Alliance was a historic event for Ports in Washington state and presents a future model for Port authorities across the Nation. Kate Snider’s outstanding leadership, deep knowledge of our business, and indelible sense of humor was the combination we needed to bring this partnership to life.
Erin Galeno, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Port of Tacoma/Northwest Seaport Alliance
Floyd|Snider staff are more than rock stars, they are rock warriors. Tough, complex, time-sensitive issues are what they manage best, in addition to the firm’s more regular technical and regulatory expertise. Their commitment to transparent, expert analysis and action is unparalleled
Kurt Beckett, Deputy CEO, Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Port of Seattle has considered Floyd|Snider a trusted advisor for many years. We’ve engaged them for services that range from stakeholder facilitation to sediment cleanups to permitting to engineering. Floyd|Snider consistently delivers on-time, on-budget, and with outstanding quality and professionalism. It’s always a pleasure to work with the Floyd|Snider team!