Port of Everett Chief Financial Officer Announces Retirement

Karen Clements will be retiring in September

After 18-years of dedicated service, the Port of Everett’s Chief Financial Officer Karen Clements announced she will be retiring in September 2013.

Clements, which holds the number three management position at the port, has led the Port to 15 consecutive years of clean audits during her tenure. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the Port’s $56 million-plus capital and operating budgets, its investment portfolios, risk management, bond issuance, and overseeing information technology.

She also participated in union negotiations, led staff efforts for the state and federal audits, and managed the Port’s industrial development corporation. Further, because of her excellent skills and track record, the Port Commission has appointed her treasurer and auditor for the Port’s financials for the past 17 years.

“We were so lucky to have such a fine steward of public resources all these years,” Port Commissioner Tom Stiger said. “Karen did a fantastic job managing the Port’s assets, and hers will definitely be big shoes to fill. I know for a fact, that I will be spending these next nine months picking her brain to get as much of her financial knowledge as I can before she leaves.”

After retirement, Clements plans to continue her volunteer work on the Board of Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center, serving as treasurer. She also looks forward to traveling with her husband Dan.

“I have really enjoyed working at the Port, as well as with many Port staff and commissioners,” Clements said. “We truly have a great team. Working 18 years at the Port of Everett has passed much faster than I could have imagined, and I am so proud to have been a part of such a great organization.”

Prior to coming to the Port of Everett, Clements worked for 12 years at the City of Puyallup. The Port will be hiring a recruiting firm to fill the key staff position.