EVERETT — The Port of Everett has hired veteran economic development professional Terrie Battuello to create economic opportunities at the Port of Everett.
Battuello, who will assume her new role as chief of business development for the port on July 1, has been hired to lead the development efforts of the Marina District and the Riverside Business Park. She also will work with business leaders to leverage the port’s unique abilities to help stimulate growth in the district.
“The Port of Everett through their partnerships with the city of Everett and state of Washington has made wise investments that present unlimited opportunities for revamping this beautiful waterfront,” Battuello said in a news release. “I am delighted to be a part of a momentous endeavor to implement the port’s various waterfront plans.”
Battuello, 52, comes to the port after eight years as the assistant city manager of economic development for the city of Bothell. During her time there, Battuello managed the city’s Innovation Partnership Zone that includes dozens of public and private companies working to grow and expand the biotech industry in the city. She also was in charge of attracting developers for the city’s surplus property, which resulted in bringing approximately $220 million in private investment to the development pipeline in the city, along with the recruitment of McMenamins as a flagship hotel and resort.
“We are thrilled that Terrie has agreed to join our team,” Port of Everett Executive Director John Mohr said in the news release. “The Port of Everett is on the cusp of a growth spurt to revitalize the waterfront and create economic opportunities within our district. It is critical that we invest in the human capital to realize that potential, and Terrie is the right person for the job.”
The port will rely on Battuello’s economic development experience to bring life to its Marina District Development Strategy adopted by the Port Commission in October 2012 The development strategy calls for a back-to-basics approach to the development of the recreational waterfront in a way that focuses on jobs, boating and recreation.
Unlike the previous private developer-led plans, the Port of Everett will be assuming the role as marketer and master developer for the property, so this new position of chief of business development is necessary to realize and implement this development strategy, Mohr said.
Battuello was selected after a nationwide recruitment process that attracted candidates from throughout the U.S. She will report to Mohr and will hold one of the top spots at the Port of Everett.
She is one of 1,200 certified economic developers in the International Economic Developers Council, and holds a masters of public administration from the University of Washington Evans School, and a bachelors degree in business administration.
The port is also completing the process of recruiting a new chief financial officer to fill the vacancy created by Karen Clements’ retirement in September.
For the first 17 years of Battuello’s public career, she worked for the city of Bremerton and Kitsap County, including performing the role of administrator for the Kitsap Public Facilities District, which funded elements of the Bremerton waterfront development, including the Kitsap Conference Center.
Kurt Batdorf: 425-339-3102;kbatdorf@heraldnet.com.
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