PORT ANGELES — Port Finance Director Bill James was named interim executive director Monday as the Port of Port Angeles searches for someone to fill resigning Executive Director Bob McChesney’s post.
James will act as both finance director and executive director starting Friday — the same day McChesney’s resignation becomes effective.
James will earn an additional $1,500 per month throughout his tenure as executive director, according to the contract unanimously approved at the commission’s Monday meeting.
His ann-ual salary is $98,286.
“We need to assure some steady leadership, and I have every confidence in Mr. James’ abilities,” said John Calhoun, president of the port commission.
The contract as the interim executive director runs for three months, and the Port of Port Angeles commissioners can end it at any time if a new director.
It also includes an option for renewal for periods of 30 days should it take longer to find a replacement.
James has also contracted with Harbor-Works Development Authority to help with its finances for $125 per hour.
He said he will devote little, if any, time to Harbor-Works during his tenure as interim director for the port.
“I will have very little time to devote to them in the coming months,” he said.
He said he had talked to the Port of Port Angeles attorney and to the Harbor-Works attorney to make sure that his new responsibilities would not constitute a conflict of interest.
“They are all aware and fine with it if I do devote some time to that,” he said.
The commission made no formal decision on how to proceed with selecting a permanent replacement for McChesney, who will take up the top post at the Port of Edmonds on June 1.
McChesney, who has been the port executive director since 2004, earned about $123,000 at his current post.
He moved to Port Angeles from the Port of Everett, where he was the director of properties and development.
The port commission was presented with a 20-week time line for selecting a new director but delayed action until the next meeting on May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
At that time the commissioners will also consider whether to put out a request for bids for consulting firms to recruit the next executive director.
All three commissioners expressed their desire to involve the public in the process as well as incorporate the strategic plan into the job description.
The commissioners unanimously accepted McChesney’s resignation.
“It is with some regret that we do this,” Calhoun said.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
