For Immediate Release
Contact: John Carter,
April 12, 2006 360-676-2500
PORT HIRES DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & EMERGENCY OFFICER
Neil Clement, Former Whatcom County Emergency Manager, Hired
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham is pleased to announce the hiring of Neil Clement to fill the position of the Port’s first Emergency Management and Security Officer.
Clement currently is working as the Region One Homeland Security Coordinator serving five counties, 39 cities and eight tribal governments. Before taking that position in 2005, Clement worked as the Deputy Director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management for more than a decade. He will begin working for the Port in mid-May.
“The Port is very pleased to hire someone with the depth of experience and the local knowledge that Neil brings to this position,” said John Carter, Port Chief Financial Officer.
The Port created this position to ensure that the Port facilities and staff are well prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. Clement also will oversee the Port’s security efforts and will be in charge of representing the Port in its Homeland Security functions. Because the Port operates major transportation terminals, security efforts are very important and must be coordinated with numerous regional and federal officials, Carter said.
"I have long admired the Port of Bellingham and its leadership,” Clement said. ”My working history with the Port goes back 25-years and I am proud to have been chosen to become part of an organization that has such a rich past and exciting future."
In addition to having a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University, Clement also is a Certified Emergency Manager and is the past president of the Washington State Emergency Management Association. He was twice chosen by the American Red Cross as a Real Hero and in 2002 was honored by former Gov. Gary Locke as one of the state’s Everyday Heroes for his emergency management work.
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