Dinsmore Named Port's New Director

Mic Dinsmore strutted into the meeting room wearing a double-breasted suit, his chest puffed out, looking like a politician who had just won an election. He had reason to feel this way.

Dinsmore was named yesterday as the port's new executive director, rising from his job as chief operating officer. The executive job was one he's always sought.

"I couldn't be more excited," he said. "This fulfills a long objective of mine."

But the bigger question is whether he can fulfill the port commissioners' objectives for any length of time. Dinsmore was narrowly approved 3-2, in a vote characterized by rare candor as commission members disagreed openly over who the port's new executive should be.

Should it be Dinsmore, who has spent most of his career in the transportation industry and is well-known in those circles, and could help the port in shoring up its marine business?

Or, should it be Dick Page, the other leading candidate who is managing director of the Seattle law firm Davis, Wright, Tremaine, and the former head of METRO, whose lobbying efforts with state and local governments and the public could open up doors of communication?

In a closed-door meeting that began at noon, the commission spent 90 minutes discussing the questions. Commissioners Gary Grant and Paul Schell voted against Dinsmore.

Said Grant: "I would've preferred someone with more experience outside of the marine port, which is an important part of the business, but is not the whole business."

Equally strong advocates for the inside man, however, were Patricia Davis and Jack Block. If there was a surprise vote in Dinsmore's corner, it came from Commission President Paige Miller.

"Mic has demonstrated an ability to work effectively with our customers, port staff and the commission," said Miller, saying he was well-respected in the world trade community. "We are pleased that we were able to promote from within a strong administrator who will guide us in the next century."

In the end, said Miller, "we all agreed we could work with our choice."

Dinsmore, 47, has been the port's No. 2 man since 1990. He was the director of the Marine Division from 1985 to 1988. In between the two port jobs, he was vice president of North America for Sankyo, a Japanese stevedoring and transportation company.

Over his 25 year career, Dinsmore has been vice president, Pacific, for Burlington Northern Worldwide, and chief operating officer for Eagle Marine Services, which is responsible for the land side operations of American President Lines.

He replaces Zeger van Asch van Wijck as executive on Aug. 1. Dinsmore's predecessor was paid $149,000.

"I think the port picked a good person, who has a lot of experience, but of course, I'm disappointed," said Page, adding it was the second time he had been passed over for the executive's job.

To Dinsmore's credit, he came to the press conference saying the right things: He wasn't disappointed being selected by a split vote. He pledged his selection would bring a change for the better to the port, of trust and openness.

For starters, he asked commissioners to work without a contract, which his predecessor had. He also asked to receive his present level of pay of $135,000, rather than a higher salary. He said he hoped his sense of values would rub off on employees.

Moreover, he said he wanted to reach out to city leaders, to customers, to the general public - even to the port's 1,200 employees - opening up the lines of communication, letting them know of the port's value to the region's economy, and fostering pride in the port.

"One of my first acts as executive director will be to spend several months asking leaders of our community, the cities of Seattle and SeaTac, the customers, our staff and leaders in the labor movement about how we can best forge partnerships to make sure that the Port of Seattle is everyone's port."

Dinsmore has suggested in the past that if he were tapped for the top job, he would name Andrea Riniker, currently the port's director of aviation operations, as the port's second-highest executive.

But that matter will be decided in the days ahead, seeming less important to Dinsmore right now. The joy of reaching the top would last at least for a day.