PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend has added two new positions and filled a third one that had been vacant for more than a year.
In April, commissioners approved a restructured staff chart that created two new job titles: business manager and customer service manager. Around the same time, April 19, the port also hired a communications manager for a long unfilled position.
“The port, whose mission includes promoting sustainable economic growth, is not conducting business as usual,” said new Communications Coordinator Kimberly Matej.
“They are listening to what their customers are saying, and implementing sensible strategic initiatives that will improve the way the port does business.”
Port officials appointed long-time employee T.J. Quandt to the positions of business manager.
“His knowledge of both moorage and yard operations makes him a strong asset in transitioning the customer experience at the Port to flow more smoothly than ever before,” said Matej in a press release.
Before working for the port, Quandt was a commercial fisherman. He came to Port Townsend when his grandfather brought his fishing boat here and has called the town home along with his wife, Hollis, and three children.
Port officials have not yet filled the customer service manager position, which is under the new business manager position.
Matej has more than 20 years of experience working with municipal governments in California, Illinois and Washington state.
Before coming to Port Townsend she worked for the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority as governmental relations manager and public education team supervisor.
She also has worked for the city of Tukwila as the communications and government relationship manager and the Association of Washington Cities as its director of communications.
She is tasked with “making connections across all internal and external components of the port, increasing visibility and opportunities for outreach,” she said.
________
Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
