Zachary Thomas has joined the NWSA to lead the Operations Service Center (OSC), and Bob Meyer has been promoted to lead port operations and manage safety.

Thomas brings more than 23 years of experience in the maritime industry. Prior to joining the NWSA, he held a variety of positions with Ports America, most recently as general manager in Tacoma since 2014.

In his new position, Thomas leads efforts to partner with stakeholders from across the supply chain to improve the efficiency and cost-competitiveness of the Puget Sound gateway. The Operations Service Center, the headquarters for the NWSA’s customer success initiatives, is guided by a group of industry representatives called the Executive Advisory Council.

Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in nautical science from the Marine Maritime Academy. He lives in Olympia.

Meyer joined the Port of Tacoma in 2014 to manage the non-container facilities, a position that transitioned to The Northwest Seaport Alliance when the ports of Seattle and Tacoma formed the marine cargo operating partnership in August 2015.

In his expanded role, Meyer directs the operations at all port-operated terminals and rail yards, as well as the NWSA’s safety program.

Before joining the NWSA, Meyer spent nearly a decade as a merchant mariner and several years with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, most recently, running WWL’s terminal at the Port of Brisbane.

Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation and business administration from the Maritime Academy. He lives in Tacoma.