ABOUT NORMAN

Hello, and welcome! I'm Norman, and I'm thrilled to share a bit about my journey and how I can help you and your organization thrive.

 

I moved to Seattle in 2003 to take on the role of Manager of Finance & Contracts for the Maintenance & Engineering Division of Alaska Airlines. My career has spanned corporate roles at three major US airlines, but my true passion lies in helping organizations diversify their executive leadership teams. From the very first day, I fell in love with recruiting and the impact it can have on both individuals and organizations. 

 

Seattle is one of the most naturally beautiful and vibrant regions in the world, with neighborhoods that are rich in arts, culture, commerce, and community spirit. I'm honored to offer my talents in executive search and community building to help this region—and your organization—thrive. 

 

If you're an organization looking for top executive talent, a candidate exploring new opportunities, a media professional seeking insights, or a community member wanting to connect, I'm here for you. Let's work together to make great things happen! 

 

I invite you to reach out—I look forward to connecting with you!

 

In addition to my recruiting passion, I am also committed to contributing to our healthy community and invite you to review some of my community highlights:

 

• Educational Support: Past Co-Vice Chair and Board member for Belong Partners (formerly Sound Discipline), partnering with educators, parents, and caregivers to create respectful, equitable communities for all children. Past Board member, First Place School. Past elected Local School Council Community Representative, Newberry Academy of Math & Science.

• Mentorship: One of my most rewarding roles is mentoring young Black and African American young people in the Bellevue, WA School District through the Groundbreakers Program and Eastside Youth Coalition (supporting the efforts of Michelle Williams Clark, a tireless advocate for young people of color on the eastside of King County).

• Leadership Development: I'm a proud graduate of Project LEAD (Leadership, Effectiveness, And Diversity), a United Way of King County Board Development Program.

• Cultural Contributions: I've served on the board of the Seattle Repertory Theatre Crew, engaging the under-40 subscriber group.

• LGBTQ+ Advocacy: Past Co-Chair of the Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee, an organization working to ensure voters are aware of candidates’ awareness, positions and support of LGBTQIA+ issues.

• Community Debates: I co-founded the Ethnic Media Political Candidate Meet N Greet and Initiatives Debate with SeaBeez, focusing on key issues like state income tax, charter schools, marijuana legalization, and marriage equality.

• Organizational Participation: I'm actively involved with the Seattle Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and the Family & Education Levy Task Force for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

• Professional Connections: I helped create PUGET SOUND CONNECTIONS©, a multicultural network designed to welcome new professionals to the area and connect them with local business and civic leaders. Our events drew over 1,000 attendees.

• Networking Initiatives: I founded the Annual Seattle MBA Summer Cruise, bringing together business school interns and alumni and corporate and community partners. The  3-hour cruises on Lake Washington and Elliott Bay averaged 180 participants per cruise over nine years!

• Civic Engagement: My first year in Seattle I decided to volunteer with the Municipal League of King County. It is an all-volunteer organization that publishes ratings of candidates running for office in King County, Washington. As a member of the ratings team for Seattle Mayor and Seattle City Council, we researched and interviewed each candidate and deliberated over 2 days to agree to final ratings. I was fascinated to see so many involved citizens willing to commit weeks of our time to help the public assess the qualifications for people running for office. I was so moved by this process that I decided to run for Seattle Mayor 3 years later. We ran an inspired campaign full of bold and progressive ideas. I also have since run the Port of Seattle Commission, receiving over 133,000 votes in my latest race. My goal was and is always to serve the public by bringing more transparency and citizen-centric perspectives to elected positions.

• Environment: The earth’s climate is getting hotter resulting in more extreme and dangerous weather. We need Climate Action Now! One action I am taking is as the Political Affairs Director for the community led Schmitz Park Creek Restore. This currently all-volunteer organization seeks to restore aquatic life, including a salmon run, back to Schmitz Park creek in West Seattle.