Anchorage's behind schedule, over-budget port project now has a new director. The filling of the position was announced by Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan in a press release yesterday.

Of his appointee, Richard Wilson, Mayor Sullivan said in the release, “I’m thrilled that Mr. Wilson accepted the position and I’m confident that he will work conscientiously to address the current changes and issues with the Port expansion project”

Wilson served as Development Director for 13 years during major improvements to accommodate international air cargo expansion at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Prior to taking on tha job at the Ted Steven International Airport, Wilson worked further north. He served as City Administrator of St. George, Alaska. He directed port planning, financing, design, and construction as well as negotiation of dock use agreements for a new commercial fishing port in that fisheries rich region of the Bering Sea. Faced with crisis resulting from a contractor who was unable to fulfill contractual obligations, Wilson led a successful transition to finish construction under City management. Industry marketing efforts landed four seafood processors who produced and exported snow crab to world markets.

Wilson has also spent part of his career as an Executive Assistant to Anchorage’s City Manager. He has also worked as a City Manager for the City of Cordova. He contributed to the expansion of the city harbor there.

Wilson’s work hasn’t all been white-collar though, Wilson has fished for crab in the Bering Sea, as well as processed and marketed fresh seafoods in the southern Kenai peninsula community of Homer.

The 37-year Alaskan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Pomona College and a Masters in Public Administration from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.

Wilson takes over the Port project, after the former Port Director, Bill Sheffield stepped down earlier this year.

Anchorage’s Port project has suffered from construction mishaps and delays continuously for quite some time. The project that was initially to cost $275 million has ballooned to over $1 billion.

Mayor Sullivan recently asked the Legislature for $350 million to complete the North phase of the project, he received $25 million in the State’s Capital budget as well as another $0 million in an earmaked bond package, leaving the expansion project well over $200 million short of its request.