Ken Johnsen

After earning a degree in Urban Planning from Huxley College at Western Washington University in 1975, Mr. Johnsen served as the Planning Manager for the Port of Portland. In 1980, he became the Port's Manager of Planning and Research. In these positions he directed the master planning, facility planning, and market research efforts for the Port's industrial parks, airports, and maritime operations. Mr. Johnsen joined Roger Shiels and Doug Obletz as a firm partner/owner in 1986. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Johnsen served as Executive Director for the Public Facilities District in Seattle in charge of designing and building Safeco Field, the baseball stadium for the Seattle Mariners. Since 1999, he has been Project Director for the development of several major projects, including Seattle's new Justice Center, City Hall, and modern streetcar line.

Huxley Major

Urban and Regional Planning

Favorite Professor

Debnath Mookherjee. Though I graduated from Western over 30 years ago, my memories of being Dr. Mookherjee’s student are still fresh. My gratitude for him is still fresh. His thoughtful approach to urban and regional planning inspired me to pursue my career in that field. He was always available to students. When I told him about my interest in port planning, he arranged an internship for me at the Port of Bellingham. And that led to my first job at the Port of Portland.

Current employer - job title

Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. - partner/owner

Graduation Celebration

In 2013, Mr. Johnsen generously consented to serve as the keynote speaker at Huxley's annual spring graduation celebration:

Video of Ken Johnsen at WWU's Huxley College 2013 Graduation Celebration