After establishing a new Office of Social Responsibility at the Port of Seattle, chief executive Tay Yoshitani has announced the appointment of Elaine Ko as its director, effective Jan. 22.__

Since 2006, Ko has served as executive director of InterIm Community Development Association, Seattle, which facilitates community development in Seattle's International District. She also has extensive experience as a small business owner and an advocate for women and minorities. From 1985 to 1991 she was director of the city's Office for Women's Rights, which included staffing the lesbian and gay commission.

"There was substantial interest in this position from local and international communities, and our decision was very difficult because of the high quality of candidates we saw." said Yoshitani. "However I feel very confident that Elaine brings the right mix of skills to the position, and will be able to represent and engage all the ethnic groups and community organizations that work with the Port of Seattle, and will reach out effectively to groups we have not yet been able to touch," __The Port's Office of Social Responsibility will manage the Port's small business initiative and other existing programs, expand outreach efforts, and develop new projects such as transitioning military veterans into the workplace and getting surplus cruise ship supplies and equipment to needy residents._