BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Port of Bellingham is staying local in selecting its new leader.

Port commissioners voted unanimously at their meeting on Tuesday, April 28, to approve Tiffany DeSimone as their new executive director.

DeSimone has served as interim director since the Port parted ways with former director Rob Fix last summer. Before that, she worked at the Port for over 10 years while overseeing operations at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, Squalicum Harbor and Blaine Harbor.

She’s believed to be the first woman to serve as executive director, which Port commissioner Michael Shepard called “momentous” before a round of applause broke out at the meeting.

“It is about the present and the future of this organization and recognizing the unique moment of change that the organization is in,” Shepard said at the meeting. “Looking for stability, looking for trust and looking for excellence, and sometimes that’s something you already have in your midst.”

Port HR Director Reilly Wynn said the four-month-long recruitment process whittled an initial group of 99 candidates down to five, who interviewed with the board of commissioners and local industry leaders.

DeSimone still needs to formally accept the position.