Leadership

Chair & Chief Executive Officer

As Chair and CEO, René guides the strategic direction and sets the course of Port Blakely’s multi-national operations.

After joining Port Blakely in 2005, René served in the company’s Forestry and Real Estate operations, becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2008. He was named CEO in 2010 and added Chairman to his title in 2015. A fourth-generation descendant of the company’s founders, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Eddy Family Council, serving as its founding President and contributing to the development of a nationally recognized model for sustainable family business governance.

He is active on community and industry boards and committees, including the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) and the Washington Roundtable, and is a member of the Tugboat Institute. He previously served on the Board of NatureBridge (Olympic), the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and as the Chair of the Board of the Seattle Symphony.

René holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and an Executive MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

Chief Financial Officer

Kim is a seasoned business leader with experience working with private and family-owned companies. Kim joined Port Blakely in November 2021. She brings diverse skills and experiences, having held the CFO or senior financial positions at companies across various sectors, including commercial fishing, technology startups, and manufacturing. As CFO, Kim is pivotal in setting and directing the company's financial strategy and is a key contributor to Port Blakely’s long-term vision.

As a fourth-generation Washington state native, Kim is deeply committed to her community. She is actively involved in various organizations supporting children, particularly in the foster care system. Her involvement includes serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a Washington Association for Child Advocate Program board member, and past president of Treehouse and Girls on the Run Puget Sound. Additionally, she is active in the Washington Women’s Foundation and the CFO Leadership Council.

Kim is a Certified Public Accountant and Deloitte alumna. She earned a BA in Accounting and Finance and a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. In her personal time, Kim enjoys all that the Puget Sound region has to offer – sailing, cycling, hiking, camping and fruit pie making from her family orchards.

Chief People Officer

Liz is an accomplished human resources leader with a wealth of experience as Chief People Officer. She drives the company’s long-term people strategy and oversees all aspects of the employee experience.

She joined the Port Blakely leadership team after more than a decade in senior executive human resource roles at Starbucks. In addition, she has extensive experience in organizational development consulting and coaching, supporting a diverse range of clients in business and education.

Liz is a lifelong community volunteer. She is a board member and previously served as the board chair for the Seattle Girls’ School. Additionally, she is a member of the Advisory Council of The Mountaineers and is an active member of the International Women’s Forum.

Liz holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and an MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Washington, and a BA in Neuroscience from Mount Holyoke College. In her free time, Liz enjoys going to the mountains with her family, including their two Labrador Retrievers, where they hike, bike, ski, and play outdoors.

President, US Forestry

Mike joined Port Blakely in 1997, and he has built his career working across the business, from Forester and Silviculture Manager to Director of Strategy and VP of Operations. As a fourth-generation descendant of the company’s founders, Mike brings a deep understanding and commitment to producing sustainable forest products.

Mike has led many significant timberland acquisitions for Port Blakely. He is a strong voice in cross-sector climate policy efforts and was part of the team that drove Port Blakely’s entry into the voluntary carbon market.

Mike serves on the boards of the Washington Forest Protection Association Sustainable Northwest and the Operating Committee of the National Alliance of Forest Owners.

As a Pacific Northwest native, Mike enjoys all the unique aspects that make this region special. He feels most at home in the forest but enjoys spending time with his family on Puget Sound and in the mountains of the Cascade Range.

Mike holds an MBA from the University of Washington.

Managing Director, New Zealand Forestry

As Managing Director of New Zealand Forestry, Phil Taylor leads Port Blakely’s forestry, essential oils, barge, and carbon operations across New Zealand.

Phil joined Port Blakely in 2006 following nearly three decades at City Forests Ltd, where he served as CEO and held progressively senior roles. With more than 45 years in the forestry sector, he brings extensive experience across the full value chain—from field operations to executive leadership and governance.

He currently serves on the boards of Scion and the Forest Growers Levy Trust and is a member of the Executive Council of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, where he previously served as President. He is a respected voice in forestry strategy, climate resilience, and research investment.

Phil holds a New Zealand Certificate in Forestry and a Bachelor of Forestry Science (First Class Honours) from the University of Canterbury. He has completed executive study toward an MBA at the University of Otago. A Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, he was named NZIF Forester of the Year in 2013.