FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Oregon Senate has confirmed Gov. John Kitzhaber’s appointment of Linda M. Pearce, Chief Financial Officer of Nautilus, Inc., to the Port of Portland Commission.  

Pearce fills a seat left vacant after Judi Johansen left the Commission in June.  At least two members of the nine-member volunteer Commission must each live in one of the three counties in the Port district which includes Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. The remaining members may live in any part of the state. Pearce, a Lake Oswego resident, will fill the Clackamas County seat on the Commission.

Before joining Nautilus in August of this year, Pearce served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Warn Industries and served as the interim president of Warn from May 2010 to January 2011.  In prior positions she served as controller and director of information technology at Gardenburger, as division cost accounting manager at Blount International, and as accounting and operations manager at Lindsay Forest Products.

“Linda’s extensive management experience, her strong background in finance, imports and exports, and her demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship make her an excellent fit for the Port Commission,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “As the Port continues in its statewide mission to promote cargo and passenger access to regional, national and international markets, Linda will provide valuable insight into the needs of Oregon businesses and the community.”

“As a business leader, I understand and appreciate the importance of trade to our regional and state economy,” said Pearce. “As an Oregon native, I have a strong desire to enhance our quality of life.  My role on the Port Commission will allow me to make a contribution in both areas.”

Pearce received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oregon and dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Portland State University.  She is also a Certified Management Accountant. In 2011 she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Influential Women in Oregon.

Previous board experience has included: The Children’s Center, Providence Medical Foundation, Bergstrom Nutrition and Blount Federal Credit Union.

The nine-member Port of Portland commission sets Port policy during its monthly meetings. Commissioners are unpaid volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate.  They serve four-year terms and can be reappointed. The Commission appoints the Port's executive director.

Other members of the Port Commission are: Jim Carter, Commission president; Steve Corey, Commission vice president and a Pendleton attorney and sheep rancher; Paul Rosenbaum, Commission treasurer and CEO and chairman of SWR Corp., Diana Daggett, Commission secretary and American region director of corporate affairs, Intel Corporation, Peter Bragdon, senior vice president of legal and corporate affairs, Columbia Sportswear Company;  Tom Chamberlain, president, Oregon AFL- CIO and Bruce Holte, a longshoreman and secretary/treasurer with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

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