Port chief gets raise — and criticizes dissenters

Port of Seattle Executive Director Mic Dinsmore got a 6 percent raise Tuesday and used the occasion to publicly criticize the two commissioners on the five-member board who voted against it.

Dinsmore, whose annual pay packet rose to $339,841 — the highest in the country — took aim at Commissioners Lloyd Hara and Alec Fisken, who said Dinsmore's performance did not merit that big an increase.

To Fisken, a longtime critic of money-losing Port operations, Dinsmore said: "I hope you get to know the Port better. Then you can get on the side of the Port that is constructive."

Fisken said he voted against the raise because Dinsmore had not done better at making the Port more profitable and reducing its dependence on tax revenue.

Hara said that since he joined the commission in January, cargo freight has declined and a cruise line has left. He wanted more measures to rate Dinsmore, but based on what he had, he rated Dinsmore below the "outstanding" rank that carried the 6 percent raise.

Hara also said it was improper to consider Dinsmore's 15-year tenure in the review, as other commissioners did.

In response, Dinsmore said he was disappointed that Hara didn't feel he had enough information to give a better review.

"You were part of what put objectives for this guy [Dinsmore] together," Dinsmore said, a reference to goals the commission set at the beginning of the year.

Dinsmore's remarks were unusual, given the reserved and subservient way he often addresses the commission. But his rebuttal came after the commission voted 3-2 to grant him the raise. And it was the 61-year-old leader's final performance review; he plans to retire in the first quarter of 2007.

Dinsmore received copious praise, too. Commission President Patricia Davis read an entire seven-page memo into the record, lauding his successful year. She called "a major accomplishment" Dinsmore's role in reducing fees for airlines operating at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and noted some new customers and a small profit at the seaport.

Davis didn't mention the fact that Southwest Airlines tried to leave Sea-Tac last year because of the high fees or the decline in cargo volume at the Port.

Rudy Caluza, the Port's director of accounting and procurement, said he was speaking as a member of the public as he lauded Dinsmore's management style.

"You treat employees with dignity and respect," Caluza said, giving Dinsmore a bow of respect. "You lead with heart."

Commissioner Bob Edwards showed enthusiasm about Dinsmore's 15 years as chief executive.

"My goodness!" he said. "We've finally got to where they're breaking ground on the last mile of light rail to the airport. We used to be a laughingstock."

Commissioner John Creighton noted shortcomings on security, environment and community relations but supported the raise in part because "the commission needs to show it will pay top dollar for talent."

Before the raise, Dinsmore was the highest paid port chief in the country. Davis and Edwards said they want flexibility to pay even more to a future chief.

"We can talk about making that change with the incoming CEO," Davis said.

Dinsmore, who arrived midmeeting after flying in from a conference in France, sipped coffee and nodded his appreciation at the compliments. When his turn came to speak, he praised his staff and laid an even bigger accolade on the organization.

"There's not a public institution in this nation that's more respected than the Port of Seattle," he said.

Alwyn Scott: 206-464-3329