Newly imported Subarus from Japan sit at the Port of Vancouver, await processing and transportation to dealerships throughout the western United States. Subaru of America is a longtime tenant at the port. (Columbian files)
The Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners named Julianna Marler to be its next chief executive during its regular Tuesday meeting.
The board approved hiring Marler 2-1. Commissioners Eric LaBrant and Brian Wolfe voted yes. Commissioner Jerry Oliver voted no.
Prior to the no vote, Oliver praised Marler.
“I saw Julianna as being a strong candidate. I feel she’s grown in her present role and I’m sure she will continue to flourish,” he said.
Commissioner Brian Wolfe said there was a strong pool of candidates for CEO, but the board settled on Marler, an internal hire, because of the camaraderie of port staff.
“You risk upsetting the culture if you take somebody new in and we’re happy with the culture — we the commissioners,” he said.
In a news release, LaBrant said that “Julianna was stacked up against the best of the industry and she’s the most qualified candidate. I think this positions us well for moving forward with the vision this port has for its future.”
In the meeting, Wolfe spoke highly of Marler’s qualifications, but added that he thought she needed some monitoring to fully flourish in her position. “It may be nothing more than help in the leap one has to take from being second in command to being top dog,” he said after the meeting. “The port needs to have a really positive and strong face now. We’ve not seen her in action out there, doing that sort of thing.”
When asked her opinion, Marler said she wants to improve how she engages with the community and port stakeholders.
“I feel I’ve been able to do that to a degree,” she said. “One of the challenges I face is I’m doing two roles right now. … I think it’s been a challenge to engage with folks as much as I’d like to.”
Marler said she plans to continue the port’s momentum on infrastructure development, specifically at Terminal 1 on the Vancouver waterfront and the West Vancouver Freight Access project.
Marler’s predecessor Todd Coleman’s recommended her as interim CEO before he departed in May. She joined the port in 2008 after working for the city of Vancouver for nine years. In 2012, she was promoted to chief financial officer.
Coleman ran the port for four years.
His record of infrastructure accomplishments, including the Vancouver waterfront, rail expansion and revenue growth was mixed with a controversial proposal to build the nation’s largest oil-by-rail terminal on port property.
Coleman left the port making nearly $212,000 annually.
As interim CEO, Marler earned a $184,000 annual salary, near the middle of the range for the position.
Port spokeswoman Abbi Russell said negotiations on Marler’s salary, start date and benefits are underway. The package is expected to come before the port commissioners for a vote at the next regular meeting on Feb. 14.
The port will have to find a new chief financial officer to replace Marler.
Marler was one of three finalists who were chosen from about 80 applicants.
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