Post date: Jan 20, 2026
I grew up as a “port kid,” when my mother was the manager at our friends across the river, the Port of Kennewick. To me, commissioners were kind, gray-haired, uncle-like figures that we’d deliver thick, legal-sized manila folders bound by rubber bands on Sundays. And if we were lucky in the summer, we would be invited to swim in their pools.
When I wasn’t throwing rocks or drawing at the old-school drafting table, I learned a few things about ports along the way and remember visiting the far-flung sites of Oak Street, Hover, and Plymouth, where industrial land awaited the newest tenant. I was proud of my mother, who started as a recently divorced mother-of-two as a secretary and bookkeeper. And when three of those commissioners gave her a chance to become the first female port manager in the state a few years later, I learned even more about the mission of ports and what they could do for tax bases. From a two-person operation, she helped the Port develop a wide portfolio of properties and grow from $50,000 in reserves to $2 million by the end of her career. Later, she served a term as Port commissioner, setting policy—which directly inspired me to become a city councilmember and mayor for 16 years of my life.
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
As I’ve attended Port meetings in 2025, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do as a commissioner. I’m particularly interested in the Port’s successful airport and the prospect of developing the AIM Center; the increasing need for new electricity and distribution at the Port, the Tri-Cities, and region; more land for development beyond Darigold; and working with our other ports, state, and federal partners.
A big reason why I ran was seeing firsthand over the years the incredible things the Port has done and wanting to make sure that success continues. I believe that success is due to fidelity to the concept democracy—what local government is supposed to be about.
A successful democracy comes from a mixed government through mutual constraints and shared power. What does that mean to me? Well, if I read John Adams correctly, it means that Executive Director Adam Lincoln and the Port's talented staff will be at their best when they use their skills to manage and operate current and future Port facilities, market and develop new business opportunities for the district, manage leases, work with our tenants to help them succeed, professionally manage the budget and finances, and myriad other details… all safely and in a positive work environment.
And, as Commissioner Ryckman reminded me regularly, and I wholeheartedly agree: Support staff, recognize staff’s good works, and, above all, be nice to staff.
It also means that I work with my fellow commissioners to enact sensible policy for the district, including setting long-term strategy and goals, overseeing the manager, weighing in on and authorizing major projects, and approving budgets, land use plans, contracts, etc.
Additionally, we must represent the public interest in how the port operates.
Those who remember their basic civics classes about the three branches of government will recognize I’ve just covered the executive and legislative branch. I’ll spare a long explanation about the judiciary and hope we don’t have to engage an actual judge’s opinion often. Our attorneys do a fine job at helping the other branches to interpret the increasingly complex rules and laws we must follow.
With all these different aspects to a port, I pledge to do my best as a commissioner to learn, listen, and lead… and do it with respect for the position, the Port as an entity, and the people who make it all happen.
Thank you all for welcoming me to the Port of Pasco family.