For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Casey 360-676-2500
Rob Fix Joins Port of Bellingham as CFO
Fix Begins New Role This Month
[Bellingham, Wash.] Today the Port of Bellingham announced the hiring of Rob Fix for its Chief Financial Officer position. Fix will begin his new position July 28th, 2008.
"We are very pleased to have someone with Rob's experience and enthusiasm joining the Port," said Port Executive Director Jim Darling. "He will provide strong leadership and careful stewardship of the community's investments and finances. His extensive background in private sector real estate investment makes him an ideal finance officer to help guide the Port's investments as we continue to develop the Blaine and Bellingham waterfronts."
Fix has over 17 years of experience in managing financial and investment operations in the lodging industry having served as controller, director of development, mergers and acquisitions and director of finance.
Prior to joining the Port, Fix served as a Partner and CFO for two Kirkland-based companies MTM Luxury Lodging (a hotel management company) and FST Asset Management (a real estate and investment management company). From 1999 to 2003, Fix worked at the Trillium Corporation primarily as the Director of Finance for the Semiahmoo Hotel Company, Inc.
Fix also was employed by Red Lion Hotels from 1993 to 1998 as their corporate financial analyst and as a controller in their Bellevue and Springfield, Ore., hotels.
Fix holds a bachelors degree from Washington State University's School of Business and Economics. He is currently the chairman of the Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association. He is married with two young children.
Fix, who has been commuting to Kirkland from his Bellingham home for five years, said he is looking forward to working in Bellingham and being part of the many diverse operations of the Port of Bellingham.
"As active members of the community, my family and I love residing in Bellingham," Fix said. "I now look forward to making professional contribution to Whatcom County's future and development."
Darling noted that Fix's experience will be especially valuable as the Port moves forward on its 220-acre redevelopment of the Bellingham waterfront, its redevelopment of a significant portion of its Blaine waterfront properties and its management of the growth of the Bellingham International Airport.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County's major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, more than 250 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
