The Port of Seattle on Jan. 13 announced some organizational changes, including the creation of engineering as its own port department and elevating Sandra Kilroy, the port’s senior director for environment and sustainability, and Janice Zahn, the director of engineering.
Kilroy brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental and natural resource management, which encompasses wastewater management, habitat restoration and water quality.
Zahn, who was assistant engineering director, brings more than 35 years of experience in the private and public sector engineering and project delivery in her new role as director of engineering.
“One of the most fundamental challenges we face at the port is how to meet increasing demand for services while zeroing out our emissions and reducing environmental impact,” port Executive Director Steve Metruck said. “Elevating the prominence of environmental and engineering work better aligns our resources to our priorities.”
This year, the port plans to continue its efforts toward a zero-emissions goal throughout the port and launch a $5.3 billion five-year capital improvement plan, the biggest in port history.
Meanwhile, the port’s chief operating officer will convert to a new deputy executive director position, which the port is recruiting for.
The person in this role will act as “a high-level advisor on operational, organizational, customer, and other matters,” and is expected to lead several areas, such as engineering and construction services, police, procurement, and strategic initiatives and continuous process improvement departments.
