Port of Olympia Commissioner Accomplishments

I served as your Port of Olympia Commissioner from 2006 - 2022. During this time I worked hard to increase economic development throughout Thurston County through a wide variety of areas supporting short and long term initiatives such as:

Initiated and developed the Small Cities Program (Over $400,000 invested in Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda since 2011 for economic development) - Read More
Resolved a 50-year-old Department of Natural Resources/Port property title Issue at the Port Peninsula.

Approved the sale of land to the city of Olympia for the development and construction of the Hands on Children Museum.
Approved the sale/donation of the land where the LOTT Plaza adjoins the Hands on Childrens Museum.
Only Port Commissioner that has been involved from the start in supporting the construction of a Fuel Dock at Swantown Marina.
Fulfilled a 40-year-old promise to build and lease a building to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for a dispatch hall.
Served as the Port's Representative on the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan – CLAMP (2008 and 2009).

Served as the Port's Representative on the Capitol Lake Executive Work Group (2016).

Voted to initiate the New Market Industrial Campus Master Plan for the development of Airport Properties in Tumwater for economic development.
Encouraged Port Staff to pursue the purchase of property within the City limits of Lacey.
Voted to approve the Westman Mill development - market rate housing/retail on Port Property that borders State Street across from the Hands on Childrens Museum.

Involved in the preliminary discussions/meetings on the potential of moving the Courthouse into Downtown Olympia.
Initiated discussions with the City of Olympia to save the Harbor Patrol by absorbing the management and responsibilities of the volunteer program within the Port of Olympia jurisdiction.
Approved the installation of solar panels through a Puget Sound Energy grant for the Marine Terminal making the warehouse energy neutral and providing surplus energy back to the grid.

Approved the installation of an Electrical Vehicle Charging System in the Farmers Market parking lot.

Approved the installation of Solar Powered Light Poles and Rain Gardens at the New Market Center as part of sustainable development standards.

Voted to approve the relationship between the Port of Olympia and the City of Tumwater to create the Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan. The Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan is being developed to balance growth and the preservation of endangered species within the City of Tumwater and its urban growth area. The Habitat Conservation Plan will conserve these species by providing long-term habitat protection across a system of managed reserve areas.
Voted to approve the relationship of the City of Olympia/LOTT Cleanwater Alliance/Port of Olympia partnership on Sea Level Rise planning.

Advocated for the Marine Terminal to become a part of Green Marine environmental reporting system – One of the first 4 ports in Puget Sound to participate in filing reports annually on improvements.
Represented the Port in conceptualizing and establishing the Lacey MakerSpace on the campus of Saint Martin's University in collaboration with the City of Lacey, North Thurston School District, and Saint Martin's University.

Approved the completion and adoption of the Port’s Vision 2050 Plan which proactively involved the community in shaping long-range Port goals and priority actions.

Supported the continued involvement of the Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) that works on Commission Lead ideas and projects. Check out the Port Website for the various reports this group has worked on over the years.