The Port of Vancouver USA has a three-member Board of Commissioners that sets policy and direction, and approves all major expenditures. Their responsibilities include appointing major administrative staff, which includes the CEO, the port auditor and legal counsel. Commissioners are elected to six-year terms of office by the voters in three port districts. Port commission meetings are open to the public and are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the administrative office of the Port of Vancouver.
Alastair Smith was appointed Chief of Marketing and Sales Officer in 2014. Alastair previously served as Senior Director of Marketing and Operations since 2003. His responsibilities include planning and implementing short and long range maritime marketing strategies, objectives and programs to promote domestic and international trade; planning and directing the marine cargo development program; and developing and maintaining relationships in order to promote utilization of the port. In addition, he oversees port marine and security operations and personnel.
Alastair has more than 30 years of extensive maritime experience from practical shipboard work to marine terminal operations. He graduated from Dumbarton Academy in Scotland in 1972 and served a four-year apprenticeship with Anchor Line in Glasgow. Alastair also attended Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and sailed for three years as third officer in the navigation department for Anchor Line and Fred Olsen Company, spending a total of six years at sea.
Alastair moved to the United States in December, 1979, as operations assistant in Star Shipping’s San Francisco office. Since then, he served over 23 years at Star Shipping in various capacities including operations manager at Star Shipping’s Long Beach office from 1981 to 1987, and district manager at the Portland office from 1987 to 2002. He was promoted to West Coast Operations Manager in February of 2002. His responsibilities in these positions ranged from contract negotiation and cargo operations to marketing, operations, claims and documentation functions.
During his tenure, Alastair has served on the boards of the Pacific Maritime Sub Steering Committee, the Columbia River Steamship Operators Association, the Maritime Fire and Safety Association, and the Regional Maritime Security Coalition.
Born in Scotland, Alastair has lived in the Portland metropolitan area since 1987.
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