Tong Zhu Appointed to CPTC Board of Trustees

by Jenn Adrien

Governor Jay Inslee has confirmed Tong Zhu as the newest member of the Clover Park Technical College Board of Trustees. Zhu will participate in her first meeting in May 2022 and will fill the seat formerly held by Lua Pritchard.

Zhu is the Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer at the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which manages the container, breakbulk, auto and some bulk terminals of the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. There, she oversees the organization’s commercial team, including the alliance’s cargo and real estate businesses, marketing and research.

“There are a lot of good, family-wage jobs that can be had through learning a trade,” Zhu emphasized. “I firmly believe that success isn’t defined by having multiple degrees. Lifelong careers can be found in following different paths, like those made available by a technical education.”

Before Zhu took on her current role, she served as the chief commercial officer at the Port of Tacoma, where she managed the activities of the Port’s diversified business portfolio, including container, non‐container, intermodal, and real estate. She also oversaw the marketing, research and customer outreach activities of the Port’s business development teams.

Prior to joining the Port of Tacoma, Zhu managed international relations at the Port of Seattle and directed the State of Washington’s greater China trade development programs. With the state, she played a critical role in former Gov. Gary Locke’s successful China trade development programs and helped advance and finalize business contracts and international agreements.

“We are so fortunate to welcome Ms. Zhu to Clover Park’s Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Joyce Loveday, Clover Park President. “Her deep knowledge of Pierce County’s key industries will serve our students well as she provides guidance to our college over the coming years.”

A cum laude graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Zhu is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Society. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Washington State China Relations Council, and has previously served on the Boards of Directors of the Japan America Society of the State of Washington and the Evergreen Building Products Association.