4 finalists for Port executive director met the public on Monday. Here’s what they said
The four people aiming to be the next Port of Olympia executive director met the public on Monday evening, gathering at an area hotel to mingle, answer questions and explain their interest in the position to nearly 100 residents.
The candidates are Joshua Cummings, the community planning and economic development director for Thurston County; Anthony Hemstad, who runs a consulting business but also serves on the port’s citizens advisory committee; Mike Reid, the city of Olympia’s economic development director; and Alexandra Smith, who currently works for the state Department of Natural Resources as its deputy supervisor for forest resilience, regulation and aquatic resources.
Smith previously worked for the port as its director of environmental programs. Reid, too, spent 10 years at the port as its senior manager of business development.
The 90-minute gathering at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at Henderson Boulevard and I-5, was spent mostly mingling, but each candidate also got five minutes to introduce themselves and talk about their interest in the position.
Here’s some of what they had to say:
▪ Cummings: ”If I am selected for the next steps in this process, you’ll know from me that what you’re getting is someone who comes into an opportunity with active listening skills. I’ve never been the smartest person in any room, but my one gift is I can listen really well and discern what’s being said to me and ask questions. One of my favorite movies is ‘Big’ with Tom Hanks. I love the part in the board room when he repeatedly asks ‘why?’ Those five whys can sometimes get to the heart of an issue better than anything else you can think of.”
▪ Hemstad: Hemstad spent most of his time talking about his background, so The Olympian caught up with him to ask about his interest in the position. His answer: “There’s so much potential at the Port of Olympia. I don’t believe it has gotten as much throughput at the marine terminal currently, and the port properties on the peninsula, it’s hard to say they are being used in the highest and best capacity right now. It’s exciting to think about what could and should be there.”
▪ Reid: Reid contracted COVID-19, so he appeared at the meeting remotely, and because he had developed a cough, he chose to have a prepared statement read aloud by a computer-generated voice. “We all understand there are four business units at the Port of Olympia: Swantown Marina, the marine terminal, the airport and the real estate division, and I believe that we all want them to provide a return on investment, not just in monetary value, but also community value in the form of living wage jobs and improved access to community amenities and a cleaner and healthier environment. I also believe the port could expand its role in the agricultural sector, workforce development programs and tourism. ... I do believe that the port can be a force for good to create a better future for this community.”
▪ Smith: Smith started by saying that she loved working for the port, calling it one of the best working experiences she’s ever had. “One of the reasons I applied for the job is to see what I might be able to do to help this port really realize its potential in terms of environmental stewardship and economic development, and the economic potential not just in the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater area but throughout Thurston County. What I’d really love to do is see the port be very transparent, be super inclusive and be an organization that respects and listens to its work force and makes them feel valued.”
There’s no rest for the candidates. On Tuesday, they were to participate in all-day interviews. The port commission meets next at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12.
