After hearing from new and returning applicants Tuesday, the Port of Seattle Commission on Wednesday announced the finalists for the commission vacancy created by Commissioner Rob Holland’s resignation.

Among the candidates are Kent’s Claudia Kauffman, a former state senator of the 47th District, and Nancy Wyatt, president and COO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce and former president/CEO of the Covington Chamber of Commerce.

The seven finalists will answer questions from the public during a moderated forum on Tuesday, April 2.

KUOW’s Steve Scher will moderate the public forum at 6 p.m. at the port’s Pier 69 Headquarters, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle.

The Port Commission will announce its final selection in late April or early May. The position will be on the November ballot, when King County voters will elect a commissioner to serve a full four-year term.

“Our open process served us well earlier this year, and we look forward to another lively discussion at our upcoming public meeting,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “This is your port and we want you to be a part of this process. We encourage you to meet our candidates, listen to the debate and ask questions of our finalists.”

The finalists for the port commission are:

• Kauffman (Kent) – former State Senator, 47th District; Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for the Muckleshoot Tribe; co-founder, Native Action Network; small business owner

• Wyatt (Kent) – President/COO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, former President/CEO of the Covington Chamber of Commerce; community leader

• Stephanie Bowman (Seattle) – Executive Director, Washington ABC; former manager of Federal Government Affairs, Port of Tacoma; member of American Association of Port Authorities; community leader

• Darrell E. Bryan (Seattle) – President and Chief Executive Officer, Clipper Navigation; Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Visit Seattle (Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau); Board of Directors, Washington Tourism Alliance; community leader

• Randy Loomans (Seattle) – Director of Government Relations, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302; former Education and Safety Director, Washington State Labor Council; member, Public Stadium Advisory Board; former Pacific City Councilmember; community leader

• Vicki Orrico (Bellevue) – Principal, Orrico Consulting; member of the Bellevue College Board of Trustees; Center for Women & Democracy; former member of the Bellevue Planning Commission; attorney

• Keith Scully (Shoreline) – Member, City of Shoreline Planning Commission; Board Member, King County Conservation Voters; Legal Director, Futurewise; Pro Tem Commissioner, King County Superior Court, Juvenile Division; attorney, Newman Du Wors, LLP, Gendler & Mann, LLP; community service