After searching since the beginning of the year, the board of directors of World Trade Center Tacoma this morning selected and hired an executive director to replace interim director James McMahan.

The new executive director, Anthony Hemstad, is a Western Washington native and 1985 graduate of the University of Puget Sound.

The son of a prominent UPS law professor, Hemstad matriculated through the Univeristy of London School of Oriental and Asian Studies, where he specialized in Japanese industrial policy. More recently, Hemstad earned an MBA at the University of Chicago.

Speaking shortly after accepting the position, Hemstad recalled his work an aide to Washington senators Dan Evans and Slade Gorton, and his life in Eastern Europe, from 1990 through 2002, teaching politics and government and working in the private sector as a lobbyist and consultant.

Hemstad returned to the Northwest in 2002 and most recently served as city manager in Maple Valley. He lives in Kent with wife, daughter and son. The family also own a dog which responds only to commands spoken in Czech, a language which Hemstad speaks.

“He has a remarkable international background. We felt he was a great catch,” said Marlo DeLange, WTCT board chairwoman. “He’s well versed in the political arena, fundraising, and he’s comfortable with challenges. He’s been an entrepreneur and run his own business in Eastern Europe.”

She said she and the trade center board expect Hemstad will focus on the celebration of international business and trade, promotion of international trade, the provision of information about trade, and the recognition and hosting of both inbound and outbound international trade delegations.

DeLange said Hemstad was a clear choice within a field of some 30 applicants to the position. “We found not only his background very impressive, but it was his enthusiasm for the potential of this organization that we were impressed with,” she said.

Hemstad said he expects to spotlight “the clear value-added of international trade for Pierce County companies.”

That trade, he said, “is something that can lead us out of the morass we’re in right now. It’s truly a significant benefit that companies should be exploring.”

He begins work on Monday.

Even as it continues hiring for critical medical positions, Tacoma's Franciscan Health System is laying off 30 workers and cutting the schedules of 10 more in less essential roles.

Franciscan, parent company of five South Sound hospitals, St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor and Enumclaw Regional Hospital, has hired 615 new employees since Jan. 1, said Franciscan spokesman Gale Robinette.

Most of those workers, 450, are staff to the newly-opened St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor. The remaining new hires, scattered throughout the hospital network, fill essential medical positions such as nurses, surgical technicians and certified nursing assistant roles, he said.

But even a health care provider with such a big expansion on its plate must look carefully at its expenses and its staffing needs, said Robinette.

"Obviously we're in a recession, and while we're on solid financial ground, we like to be pro-active in controlling and cutting our expenditures," he said.

"We're trying to stay ahead of the economic tsunami," he said.

Many of the 30 workers who've been surplused have been in administrative support and ancillary jobs, he said.

"Those jobs that have been eliminated represent less than half of one percent of our full-time jobs," said Robinette. Franciscan employs about 6,500 workers.

Some of those laid off have found other jobs within the Franciscan Health System, he said.

About 30 positions remain vacant at St. Anthony.