The Washington Public Ports Association has hired Port of Seattle Government Relations Manager Eric ffitch as its new executive director, the WPPA announced in December.
Currently, ffitch oversees the port’s Washington state government advocacy efforts in Olympia, among other responsibilities.
He has more than 13 years of experience in federal and state government relations, according to the WPPA, and has worked in the other Washington as Congressional staff for former-Rep. Jay Inslee, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and Sen. Maria Cantwell.
While in Sen. Cantwell’s office, he served as a lead staff member on the passage of a freight transportation package in the 2015 federal highway bill and gained a significant understanding of Washington ports.
ffitch is succeeding Patsy Martin, who has served as interim executive director for the association since June of 2022. Martin is expected to remain on staff until January 31, 2023, to assist with the leadership transition.
“PNWA congratulates Eric and wishes him the best in his new role,” the association said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our work with the WPPA team under his leadership.”
