I was born in Morton, and grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and in Olympia. After attending Capital H.S., I studied trade and diplomacy at Georgetown University; within days of graduation I came home. I served as the director of Governor Spellman’s trade council where I worked on trade issues affecting Washington State. I stayed on for the first months of Governor Gardner’s administration and then left to go backpacking alone through China and Tibet. That was 1985, and even then I realized the future impact China would have on Washington State’s jobs and our economy. Today, Chinese shipping lines are among the Port of Seattle’s most important partners.

When I returned from China, I was hired by the apple, pear and cherry industry, moved to Yakima, and spent the next seven years traveling around the world eliminating unfair foreign trade barriers and opening new markets for Washington's fruit growers.

In 1992, I moved to Seattle and founded the company that has become Bryant Christie Inc. (BCI). BCI helps companies eliminate foreign trade barriers and develop new international markets. As chairman, I am responsible for foreign government affairs, trade negotiation issues, and our firm’s global strategic positioning. In addition to building the company, I’ve been called upon and appointed by both Democratic and Republican administrations and by the United States Export Import Bank to advise on our nation’s trade policies.

My experiences and travels over the last 25 years have not only given me a broad and deep understanding of trade, they’ve also shown me how fortunate we are to live in the Pacific Northwest. Growing up hiking in the Olympics and Cascades and playing in Hood Canal left me with an abiding love for our precious landscape. As a result, I’ve supported and led efforts to preserve open space, restore habitat and protect our environment.

My wife Barbara Feasey and I were married at St. James in 1989. Barbara, a Husky, who grew up in Neah Bay and near Longview, and I are both committed to improving Washington State’s environment.

I ran for a seat on the Seattle Port Commission because it is one of the few positions in King County where a citizen can both create jobs and protect our environment. Doing both simultaneously is the challenge of our decade. I welcome the challenge.