Port Angeles interim finance director named to permanent post

PORT ANGELES — Interim Finance Director Byron Olson was hired Thursday to take the position permanently, newly appointed City Manager Dan McKeen said.

Olson succeeds Yvonne Ziomkowski, who was fired March 15 by then-City Manager Kent Myers for violating city policy on vacation and sick leave cash-outs.

Olson, 61, the former Sunnyside deputy city manager and chief financial officer, had said he wanted the Port Angeles job in April when he was hired as finance director on an interim basis.

His annual salary will be $109,235.

“I am very happy with having this opportunity,” he said.

“What I learned in the last three months here convinced me even more that this was potentially the right place for me to be.”

McKeen, who hired Olson on Thursday morning, said the applications of 12 other potential finance directors were reviewed along with Olson’s, though no other applicants were interviewed.

A top applicant

“Based on experience and qualifications, he was one of the top two, if not at the top,” McKeen said.

McKeen, interim city manager until his unanimous appointment July 20, said he expects his own contract to go before the City Council for approval at the council’s regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.

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