Press release:

The Port of Seattle Commission has selected Courtney Gregoire to fill the seat vacated by Gael Tarleton.

Gregoire, daughter of former Gov. Chris Gregoire, joins the port after serving as the director of President Obama’s National Export Initiative and other high-profile work to support economic development in Washington and across the country.

“Courtney brings unparalleled accomplishments and relationships that will advance the port’s mission to create family-wage jobs by growing trade. We’re excited to welcome her to our team,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “We had a great opportunity to watch all our outstanding finalists in action during our open public process, a process we will also use for our second vacancy.”

Gregoire is an attorney at Microsoft, where she supports the firm’s worldwide sales group. She served previously as deputy chief of staff to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and legislative director to Sen. Maria Cantwell.

She has degrees from Harvard Law School and Willamette University.

The Commission will begin a second public process to fill Rob Holland’s seat, who is resigning from the Commission effective March 15. The decision on Holland’s seat will be completed in late April or early May.

The Commission will accept applications for Holland’s seat until noon on March 22. Application packets are available on the Commission website at http://www.portseattle.org/About/Commission/Pages/default.aspx. Completed applications are public records subject to disclosure. Applicants must be a King County resident and registered to vote in the county. The Commission Office will conduct background and reference checks on all finalists.

The position pays $500 a month, with benefits, and requires some travel. A resolution is pending before the commission to increase commissioner salaries to the same level as those of state legislators.

All of the finalists not chosen for Tarleton's position will be automatically considered for the second position unless a finalist chooses to end her candidacy. Any of the applicants for the first vacancy will also be considered if the candidate advises the Commission Office of continuing interest.

On March 26, new applicants will be asked to address the Commissioners for three minutes or submit a written statement. Returning applicants may address the Commissioners if they so choose, but an appearance is not necessary.

Both seats will be on the ballot in November. The election for Holland’s position will fill the seat for four years, while the winner in the race for Tarleton’s seat would serve only until 2015.