When John Wolfe takes over the helm at the Port of Tacoma, he will have a different title than his predecessor Tim Farrell. During the executive search process, commissioners decided that the title CEO better fits the job description than executive director and is widely recognized in the international business world.

Wolfe was selected CEO last week, after a six-month search to replace Farrell, who left the port at the end of last year. During Farrell's tenure, Wolfe was deputy executive director of the port, and he stepped into the role of interim executive director in January.

The search process was conducted in a fishbowl. Between March and June, the commissioners held five executive search meetings that were webcast live. During those meetings, commissioners discussed salaries and titles, search criteria, and the finalists.

Once five finalists were selected, the candidates were invited to Tacoma for a reception with port employees, customers, civic and labor leaders. About 130 people attended the June 7 reception, where candidates were asked to speak about themselves and tell the audience why they thought they were qualified for the job.

Many of the questions that were asked of the candidates during the three days of interviews following the reception were suggested by port employees, who were asked months ago what they wanted to know about potential candidates.

Even though commissioners said they looked carefully at each candidate's credentials for the job, they also were swayed by public opinion about the candidates, they said.

"We received a lot of phone calls and e-mails supporting John and other candidates, as well, but the overwhelming support was for John because he is the known person in the community," said Commissioner Clare Petrich, who was one of the four commissioners to cast a vote in favor of Wolfe's selection.

Wolfe's popularity was cited by several commissioners during the final selection process.

"We have seen a 180-degree turn-around in staff morale," said Commissioner Connie Bacon about Wolfe's performance as interim executive director. Bacon said Wolfe also "hit it out of the park," in his answers to interview questions regarding his priorities for the port.

Commissioner Dick Marzano said he was impressed that Wolfe, who is a native of Puyallup, Wash., rejected an offer to move to Southern California years ago when he was working with Sea-Land. Marzano noted that Wolfe chose to stay in Tacoma to be near his family and community.

Commission President Don Johnson, who voted "enthusiastically yes" for Wolfe's selection, noted that Wolfe has garnered support from port staff, customers, community leaders and labor chiefs during his interim leadership.

"I am willing to bet my future on John," he said.

Wolfe joined the Port of Tacoma in June 2005 and served as deputy executive director until the end of 2009. Before moving to the Port of Tacoma, Wolfe served for two years as the executive director of the Port of Olympia, where he previously worked as director of operations and marine terminal general manager.

Wolfe also spent 10 years with Maersk/Sealand at the APM Terminal in Tacoma, where he eventually rose to operations manager.

The only commissioner who voted against Wolfe's selection was recently elected Commissioner Don Meyer, who said he thought the port needed "new blood." He wanted to offer the job to Ned LaGoy, vice president and general manager of Puerto Rico for Sea Star Line, and leave Wolfe in the position of deputy. While other commissioners praised LaGoy, they said they believed Wolfe deserved the top slot.

Other finalists for the job, in addition to Wolfe and LaGoy, were Brian Boyle, former vice president for operations at Ports America, Bernard Groseclose, Jr., former president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, and Ali Nikkhoo, former president and owner of Honor Truck and Transfer in Long Beach.

The port launched its executive search effort in April after hiring Southern California-based Shey-Harding and Associates to recruit candidates. Fifty-nine people applied for the job.

-- The Cunningham Report