Vulcan Inc. Hires New President and COO

SEATTLE—Vulcan Inc., the investment and project management company founded by investor and philanthropist Paul Allen, has hired Barbara Bennett to fill the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Bennett, who brings more than 30 years of experience to Vulcan’s Executive Committee, has built a career in operational and finance-related positions in the public and private sectors. In her new role – which she begins Sept. 22 – she will lead the daily operations of Vulcan’s business and corporate functions, and create and manage a strategy to ensure that Vulcan has the appropriate operational infrastructure in place to achieve its vision. Bennett will be based in Seattle and report to Vulcan founder and chairman Paul Allen and CEO Jody Allen.  “I am incredibly pleased to have Barb join our team,” said Paul Allen. “The unique combination of her environmental protection, media industry and operations background make her the ideal choice to help Vulcan achieve its vision.” Bennett brings an exceptional mix of experience to this role. Prior to joining Vulcan, Bennett was the executive vice president and chief financial pofficer at Digital First Media, where she guided a wealth of value-creating and risk-reducing transactions. She also spent three years in a presidentially-appointed role as the US Environmental Protection Agency’s CFO. While at the EPA, she also launched the agency’s first public-private alliance, coordinating a number of high-level, complex stakeholder groups to improve water technology. Prior to her time with the EPA, she spent 17 years at Discovery Communications, Inc., parent company of Discovery Channel, where she helped grow the company, eventually serving as CFO. “Barb has the right combination of leadership, operations and executive experience to make a meaningful impact at Vulcan,” said Jody Allen. “Throughout her career, she has proven to be a solution-oriented problem solver who is adept at managing and building diversified businesses. Paul and I are delighted to welcome her to Vulcan’s leadership team.” The addition of Bennett will allow Ms. Allen to increase her involvement in Vulcan’s philanthropic initiatives, productions, and other arts and culture programs. “Since its founding, Vulcan has always been on the forefront of innovation in a number of fields,” said Bennett. “I’m eager to join the company and apply my experiences in the environment, media and business to help Paul, Jody and the entire Vulcan team achieve their vision of changing and improving the way we live, learn, operate in business and experience the world.” Bennett completed her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and Yale University. Vulcan oversees various business and charitable projects including real estate holdings, investments in dozens of companies, including the Seattle Seahawks NFL, Seattle Sounders FC Major League Soccer, and Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchises.