VANCOUVER, Wash. – Three candidates for Port of Vancouver USA CEO/Executive Director have risen to the top of a list that started at nearly 80 applicants from more than a dozen U.S. states and three countries.

Edward Galligan is a port industry professional with 27 years of experience, including 15 years with the Port of Portland, Oregon, and more than a decade in his current role as Executive Director of the Port of Olympia, Washington. Prior to joining the port industry, Galligan worked for nearly 20 years in telecommunications, holding leadership roles in executive and financial services.

Julianna Marler, the Port of Vancouver’s interim CEO, has more than 17 years of public sector experience, including nine years with the City of Vancouver. Her diverse professional background includes logistics, sales, procurement and contracts, and leadership in finance and administration. She joined the Port of Vancouver in 2008, was promoted to Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in 2012, and in May 2016 was appointed interim CEO by the port’s Board of Commissioners after the departure of former CEO Todd Coleman.

Arthur Scheunemann has held leadership positions in government, non-profits and corporations, including Managing Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Market Development Division and President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County. Scheunemann’s extensive and diverse experience includes logistics, business development, operations and fiscal management.

Each candidate will be interviewed by a panel of port and community stakeholders on Jan. 19. Panelists have the opportunity to share feedback with the Board of Commissioners at a public open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the port’s administrative offices, 3103 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver. The public is encouraged to attend the open house to meet and talk with the candidates.

The Board of Commissioners will hold a special executive session on Jan. 20 to evaluate the applicants’ qualifications. No decisions will be made during executive session. The board will discuss the candidates during the next regularly scheduled public meeting on Jan. 24 and may take a vote during that meeting.

The port hopes to bring a permanent CEO on board by March.

– POV –

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.