Fick to succeed Yoshitani as Seattle port's CEO; CPG to serve inland Charlotte terminal

The Port of Seattle Commission has appointed Ted Fick chief executive officer, effective Sept. 29. He will succeed Tay Yoshitani, who plans to retire Sept. 30 after serving the port since 2007.

Fick most recently was CEO of Polar Corp., a trailer and component parts manufacturer in Minnesota. He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in major manufacturing and transportation organizations, including oversight of international operations. Fick previously served truck manufacturer PACCAR Inc. in various capacities for many years.

"Ted has the right combination of skills and dynamic leadership to help the Port of Seattle thrive in the globally competitive environment ports face today," said Courtney Gregoire, a commission co-president, in a press release.

Commissioners will vote on Fick's appointment in a public session to be held Sept. 11, when he will be introduced to the local community.

Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Ports Authority has inked a deal with container terminal services provider Container Port Group Inc. (CPG) to serve the the Charlotte Inland Terminal (CIT).

Under the pact's terms, CPG will provide international container drayage services over the Port of Wilmington and ramps in Charlotte. CPG Charlotte will provide customers with additional empty container yard space along with loaded container/trailer storage options, complementing CPG’s existing terminal services network, authority officials said in a press release.

"The Charlotte Inland Terminal is strategically situated at the crossroads of the manufacturing and distribution network serving the Southeast,” said Chief Executive Officer Paul Cozza.