Port of Seattle Names Nora Huey as Director, Central Procurement

Veteran procurement specialist will lead newly formed office

Today, Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani named Nora Huey as Director of the Central Procurement Office. Yoshitani created the CPO as part of the newly formed Capital Development Division.

As Director of Central Procurement, Huey will oversee all procurement for the Port, including construction contracting and professional and personal service agreements. The CPO will also be responsible for implementing the changes included in HB 3274, legislation which clarifies some procurement authority for ports in Washington State.

Huey has many years of experience in procurement, managing professional services agreements and contract administration. Most recently, she worked for King County, where she managed public works procurement. An attorney licensed to practice in several states, including Washington, Huey worked for many years for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, specializing in procurement and contracting issues. Prior to joining King County, Huey worked for the U.S. General Services Administration as house counsel, focusing on procurement, contract administration and contract resolution.

“Nora brings an impressive set of skills and expertise to the Port,” said CEO Tay Yoshitani. “The Central Procurement Office is a crucial element in the Port’s drive to increase efficiency and transparency, and I knew we needed a person with strong procurement experience to lead the team. I’m confident that Nora is the right person for the job, and I am pleased she has agreed to join us.”

Huey’s first day at the Port will be June 30th.

A 2007 performance audit provided several recommendations to the Port for improving contracting and procurement processes, and increasing Commission oversight. The Port’s Audit Response Action Plan, which clarifies how the organization will implement each of the audit recommendations, is available on the Port’s web site.

Port of Seattle transportation facilities support nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region and generate more than $12 billion in business revenue and $626 million in state and local taxes annually.