After 27 years with the Port of Seattle, Mark Reis has announced he will be retiring from his position of managing director of the port’s aviation division early next year.
Before assuming the role 11 years ago, Reis was the deputy managing director of Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), as well as the general manager of commercial development. He also worked as the director of finance for the Port of Seattle.
“Mark’s dedication to the Port of Seattle, the airport and the people of this region has helped us manage both the recent record-breaking growth at the airport and the economic downturn before that,” says Ted J. Fick, CEO of the Port of Seattle. “His attention to customer service and operational efficiency has generated many benefits to travelers, cargo operators and our economy. I congratulate Mark on his retirement and thank him for his extraordinary leadership over nearly three decades.”
As the managing director, Reis oversaw airport operations and capital projects. Some of his most notable achievements include opening the Central Terminal and Concourse A, renovation of air cargo facilities, display of real-time flight information in the terminal and online, new domestic and international routes, the completion of the third runway, a new air traffic control tower, a new rental car facility and the airport’s certification for reducing carbon emissions by Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
“In 1988, I joined the port for what I thought was going to be a six-month stay to work on a couple projects for the then-Marine Division,” says Reis in a statement sent to staff. “Almost three decades later, I am still here. I have had the unusual and wonderful opportunity to work in many parts of the port over the years and have had the pleasure of serving as the managing director of Sea-Tac for the past 11 years. It has been an extraordinary honor to work with so many capable and passionate people who come to work every day committed to making Sea-Tac and the Port of Seattle a more effective, customer-friendly, sustainable and financially healthy public enterprise.”
The Port of Seattle is starting the process for selecting Reis’ successor. His approximate departure date is Jan. 31.
