Seattle port promotes Beckett to deputy CEO

Port of Seattle Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani earlier this week announced the promotion of port executive Kurt Beckett to deputy CEO, with the primary responsibility of overseeing port infrastructure development and internal operations.

The move will allow Yoshitani to focus exclusively on business development, and attracting new shipping lines and air services to Seattle, port officials said in a press release.

"We are facing stiff competition from ports throughout North America," Yoshitani said. "With our strategic gateway in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is well-positioned for continued expansion if we aggressively recruit key business partnerships."

Beckett, who has served as Yoshitani's chief of staff since 2010, will direct the port's public affairs, organizational performance, small business development, social responsibility, law enforcement and capital development teams. He joined the port in 2007 as director of external affairs, after serving senior staff roles for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash).