A Conversation with Steve Metruck, MPA '93, Port of Seattle Executive Director
Please join us for a presentation and discussion about trade, travel, logistics, and innovation with Steve Metruck, MPA '93, Executive Director, Port of Seattle.
As executive director of the Port of Seattle, Steve Metruck leads a county-wide special purpose government responsible for providing trade, travel, and logistics services to one of the most diverse and fastest growing regions in the United States.
• The Seaport handled 3.3 million TEUs (containers) carrying 24 million metric tons of containerized cargo in 2024.
• The Seaport hosted 275 cruise ships calls and 1.7 million revenue passengers in 2024.
• SeaTac Airport saw a record 52.6 million passengers in 2024 from 37 airlines serving 94 nonstop domestic and 35 international destinations.
• Port of Seattle moorage customers harvested 1.3 million metric tons of seafood in the North Pacific Fisheries from 300 fishing vessels.
Port of Seattle Mission
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle's mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an equitable, accountable and environmentally responsible manner.
The vision is to add 100,000 jobs through economic growth led by the Port, for a total of 300,000 Port-related jobs in the region, while reducing the environmental footprint. The Port is committed to creating opportunity for all, stewarding our environment responsibly, partnering with surrounding communities, promoting social responsibility, conducting ourselves transparently and holding ourselves accountable.
The Port of Seattle is a leader in moving people and cargo across the country and around the world. With facilities and property ranging in scope from a half-acre park to one of the largest airports and container terminals on the West Coast, we maximize the public assets in our portfolio with an eye toward best uses and environmental sustainability.
A Conversation with Steve Metruck, MPA '93, Port of Seattle Executive Director
Trade, travel, logistics, tariffs, & innovation
This event is open to MBA alumni from HBS as well as the other IvyPlus MBA programs (Wharton, Stanford, Chicago, Columbia, MIT), Harvard community members (undergrad and grad), and alumni’s respective guests.
Monday, September 15, 2025
6:00pm - 9:00pm PT
6:00pm - 7:00pm PT - Arrival and networking
7:00pm - 8:00pm PT - Presentation and Q&A
8:00pm - 9:00pm PT - Networking and socializing
9:00pm PT - Closing
Downtown Seattle
Cost: $30
Hosts:
We look forward to seeing you at our event!
Port of Seattle
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Seattle
Port of Seattle
home page
State of the Port 2025
Port of Seattle Annual Report
https://www.portseattle.org/page/state-port-2025
King County voters create Port of Seattle on September 5, 1911.
HistoryLink.org
https://www.historylink.org/File/1002
Port of Seattle — Thumbnail History
HistoryLink.org
https://www.historylink.org/File/20972
A Port for the Future | Steve Metruck
YouTube presentation about 18 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otJwbGkGECk
Port of Seattle
YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@portofseattle
About Stephen P. Metruck:
At the helm of a world-class economic engine in a dynamic region
As executive director of the Port of Seattle, Steve Metruck leads a county-wide special purpose government responsible for providing trade, travel, and logistics services to one of the most diverse and fastest growing regions in the United States.
The Port operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – one of the nation’s largest and best-connected airports – and owns or operates facilities for cruise, commercial fishing, grain terminals, recreational marinas, and commercial real estate. SEA Airport expects to serve 52 million passengers in 2024. A major international gateway, SEA will have 53 services to 33 international destinations on 28 different airlines by the end of 2024.
The Port also operates one of North America’s largest maritime cargo shipping gateways through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a joint effort with the Port of Tacoma.
Metruck has guided the Port through transformative capital programs, including the opening of the new International Arrivals Facility at SEA and development of a Maritime Innovation Center.
Metruck is also a recognized leader in the global effort to transition port-related industries from fossil fuels. In collaboration with industry and port leaders in the United States and Canada, Metruck initiated the formation of the Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor First Movers Group, the first ever global effort to explore decarbonization of a cruise corridor. Metruck is currently leading the Port to expand shore power to its third and final cruise berth, part of a harbor-wide Port electrification strategy for facilities and operations.
Metruck leads with an emphasis on ethics, financial stewardship, and a culture of respect. With Commission support, Metruck created the port’s first-ever Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ensuring that the department director sits on his executive leadership team. The Port weaves equity throughout its organization. Metruck has charged all divisions to expand opportunity equitably through Port policies and programs.
Metruck leads 2,135 employees, manages $617 million in annual operating expenses, and guides a $5.2 billion five-year capital improvement plan in 2024. Hundreds of individual private employers operate on Port facilities, expanding the economic impact of the Port. Regionally, Port operations support over 121,000 jobs and $38 billion in business revenue.
Distinguished leadership career in the public sector
Metruck came to the Port of Seattle following a 34-year career with the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). Having previously served as Captain of the Port in Seattle, he has experience across a diverse range of operations and executive-level assignments on both coasts, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Education
Bachelor's degree, Ocean Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Master's degree, Public Administration, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
Fellowships and special assignments
Board of Governors, World Trade Center Seattle
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
Senior Fellow, George Washington University Center for Cyber and Homeland Security
U.S. Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City
Congressional Fellow to Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
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