Leadership

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

As Chairman & CEO, René guides the strategic direction of the company, setting 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 helped establish the Eddy Family Council, creating a nationally recognized model for a sustainable family business governance structure.

He is an active member of community and industry boards and committees including the National Association of Forest Owners, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Forterra, and the Washington Roundtable. He previously served on the Board of NatureBridge and as the Chairman of the Board of the Seattle Symphony (2018-2021).

René holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, a master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

Chief Financial Officer

A seasoned business leader with deep experience with both privately and family-owned companies, Kim joined Port Blakely in November 2021. She brings a diverse set of skills and experiences having held the CFO or senior financial role at companies in sectors ranging from commercial fishing and technology startups to manufacturing. As CFO, she sets and directs the company's financial strategy and is a key contributor to our long-term vision.

Kim is a 4th-generation Washington state native with a strong commitment to the community. She is active in a wide range of organizations supporting children, with particular emphasis on the foster care system. These include serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a board member for Washington Association for Child Advocate Program, and past president of Treehouse and Girls on the Run PS. She is also active in the Washington Women’s Foundation and the CFO Leadership Council.

She is a Certified Public Accountant and alum of Deloitte. A graduate of Seattle University, Kim earned both her BA in Accounting and Finance and a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership.

Chief People Officer

An accomplished human resources leader, Liz brings a wealth of experience to her role as Chief People Officer. Liz drives the company’s long-term people strategy, overseeing 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 and more recently with WeWork. In addition, she has done extensive organizational development consulting and coaching, supporting a broad spectrum of clients in both business and education.

Liz is a life-long community volunteer, currently serving as Board member for Seattle Girls’ School and as a member of the Advisory Council of The Mountaineers. She also is an active member of the International Women’s Forum. She 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 two Labrador retrievers, where they hike, mountain bike, ski, and just play outdoors.

President, US Forestry

From the age of five, Mike knew he was going to be a forester. As a fourth-generation descendant of Port Blakely’s founders, he spent weekends and summers in our forests. Joining the company in 1997, he has built his career working across the company, from forest analyst and siviculture manager to Senior Director of Strategy and VP of Operations.

Mike is a strong voice in cross-sector climate policy efforts and is part of the team that drove our entry into the voluntary carbon market. He represents Port Blakely on the boards of the Washington Forest Protection Association, Oregon Forest and Industries Council and the Operating Committee of the National Alliance of Forest Owners.

Committed to improving the quality of life in his community, Mike is on the Board of Directors for Quixote Communities. He received his MBA from the University of Washington and a BA in Economics from Willamette University. And while he loves any time spent in the woods, he’s never happier than when he’s out on the water with his family.

Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs

With a career spanning public sector and large publicly-held corporations, Stacey has found a home at Port Blakely. As Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs, she drives strategies and initiatives to share the company's story, ranging from external and internal communications to policy and social impact.

Before joining Port Blakely in 2018, she spent a decade at Starbucks in various public affairs roles. Prior to arriving in Seattle in 2007, she worked in corporate communications and government affairs at Gap Inc. in San Francisco. Stacey began her career as a congressional staffer in Washington, DC and her home state of California.

A convert to the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, Stacey is an avid downhill skier and hiker. She is a passionate advocate for ensuring all young people experience the natural beauty of our region and is a member of NatureBridge's Olympic Regional Board. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, she is also a committed Bear Backer.

Managing Director, NZ Forestry

A love of nature and interest in applied science led Phil to a career in forestry, which began more than 30 years ago as a forest worker pruning and thinning trees in Otago, New Zealand.

As Managing Director of NZ Forestry, Phil oversees all aspects of NZ Forestry’s holdings and is an avid proponent of managing forests responsibly. Phil currently serves as President of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association and he is a board member of the Forest Levy Trust.

Phil is a keen and talented outdoor photographer and enjoys tasting the many fine wines produced in New Zealand. He holds a New Zealand Certificate of Forestry and a bachelor’s degree in forest science from the University of Canterbury.