Port of Everett’s Walter Seidl Announces Retirement, Tim Ryker Hired as New Marine Terminals Director

The Port of Everett has tapped Tim Ryker as its new Marine Terminals Director, following retirement announcement of long-time Port employee Walter Seidl.

Ryker, joining the Port of Everett’s Seaport team on April 1, brings 20+ years of experience in maritime and stevedoring to his new role managing cargo operations in Everett.

As Marine Terminals Director, Ryker will collaborate with Seaport leadership to manage customer and tenant relationships, ensure proper facility and equipment maintenance, and oversee day-to-day operations across the Port’s international shipping facilities.??

“I’m excited to join the Port of Everett as the Marine Terminals Director,” Ryker said. “I bring a deep understanding of operations management, safety compliance, and business strategy from my near two-decades-long experience in the maritime industry. I pride myself on my ability to manage complex operations while maintaining high service standards, and I’m excited to bring this experience to the Port of Everett.”

Prior to joining the Port, Ryker served as General Manager at Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals in the Pacific Northwest where he oversaw stevedoring operations in the ports of Grays Harbor, Longview, Everett, Port Angeles, and Portland. His role also involved coordinating activities among managers and maintaining strong relationships with customers, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) locals, and the port workforce.

Before his time as General Manager, Ryker held several other key positions at Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals during his decades-long tenure, including Operations Manager and Assistant Operations Manager.

He began his career at the Port of Los Angeles as a Vessel Superintendent where he supervised daily stevedoring operations, coordinated ILWU personnel, and ensured the timely and accurate delivery of cargo at one of the nation’s largest ports.

A Southern California native, Ryker and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2010.

“With his extensive background in stevedoring and marine terminal operations, and his experience of working with our Seaport in the past, Tim brings an incredible amount of value to our team,” said Carl Wollebek, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Everett Seaport. “His predecessor leaves large shoes to fill, but I am confident Tim is the right fit to ensure a smooth transition for our marine terminals’ operations and provide the best customer experience going forward.

Ryker will replace Walter Seidl, the Port’s current Marine Terminals Director, as he transitions into his retirement later this year after working for the Port for 12 years.

Seidl’s maritime career spans more than 40 years. After graduating as a licensed merchant mariner from The State University of New York, he began working with U.S. Lines on Staten Island where he learned how to stevedore container vessels. In 1986 Seidl moved to California and worked at a breakbulk terminal in Long Beach.?While in Long Beach, Seidl worked on all types of steel products and containers. Later, Seidl joined APL Ltd. where he spent the next 23 years in various roles including vessel operations, container yard operations, third party client services, vessel chartering, regional logistics and corporate import logistics before coming to the Port in 2013 as its Seaport Marketing Director. He transitioned to his current role as Marine Terminals Director in 2015.

Seidl has been an integral part of the Seaport’s recent successes. During his tenure, he was a key member of the Port’s Seaport Modernization team that has worked strategically to invest more $150 million over the past decade to modernize and green its maritime facilities.?

Some of the major projects tackled during Seidl’s tenure include expanding on-dock rail capacity, modernizing the South Terminal to add another full-service berth in Everett in 2021, and completion of the Port’s award-winning “Mills to Maritime” initiative that transformed a contaminated former mill site into a new sustainable maritime hub, Norton Terminal, in 2022.

“It has been the joy of my career to work at the Port of Everett for the last 12 years,” Seidl said. “Through the partnerships and collaboration of our stevedoring partners, the ILWU, and our incredible staff, we have been able to achieve remarkable success in growing business and jobs in Everett.?The Port is such a unique place, a place where ‘this can’t be done’ never comes up in conversation. It’s this ‘can do’ spirit that I will miss the most, along with all of the terrific people I have had to honor to serve beside.”

For more information, contact Kate Anderson, the Port’s Media & Marketing Coordinator, at?katea@portofeverett.com.

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About the Port of Everett Seaport The?Port of Everett Seaport, located 25 miles north of Seattle, is a natural deep-water, self-operating seaport that supports nearly?$21 billion?worth of U.S. exports annually ($30B import/export value combined), ranking as the #2 export customs district in Washington state – #5 on the West Coast. The Port of Everett is the third largest container port in Washington state and is the region’s premiere breakbulk cargo facility, handling high-value, conventional and over-dimensional cargoes in support of the aerospace, construction, manufacturing, military, agriculture, energy, and forest products industries. Most notably, the Port of Everett serves as an extension of the aerospace manufacturing process, accommodating 100% of the oversized aerospace parts for the 747 (now retired), 767, 777, 777X and K-C Tanker programs. The Port of Everett’s was recently designated as a MARAD Strategic Commercial Seaport – one of only 18 nationwide – to support critical cargo movements for the Department of Defense. The Port’s regional transportation network supports more than 40,000 jobs and $433 million in state and local tax revenues. With more than 60% of jobs tied to trade in Snohomish County, the Port of Everett continuously looks for ways to expand cargo handling capabilities and keep freight moving efficiently.?

The Port of Everett Seaport has earned both regional and international recognition, being named 2022 Port of the Year by Washington Public Ports Association and 2024 Port/Terminal Operator of the Year by Heavy Lift and Project Forwarding International.

Learn more at?www.portofeverett.com/seaport.