PORT TOWNSEND — Port of Port Townsend commissioners have selected as the next port director a long-time government employee from out of town but with ties to Jefferson County.
Sam Gibboney, 54, who is the director of environmental resources/deputy director of public works for San Juan County, will replace Larry Crockett, 68, who is retiring June 1 after 17 years in the position.
“I am excited and humbled to return to serve the community that I love and know well,” Gibboney said minutes after learning about her unanimous selection.
Gibboney was one of three finalists for the position. Others were Josh Peters, who previously worked for the Jefferson County community development and public works departments, and maritime industry veteran Greg Englin of Bainbridge Island.
Commissioners interviewed the three finalists for 2½ hours before about 40 people Friday, followed by a one-hour executive session.
Another executive session took place Monday morning. Commissioners then opened a public meeting and voted on the finalists.
“I am endorsing Sam based on her vast experience in multiple agencies and her experience as an entrepreneur here in town,” said Commissioner Brad Clinefelter.
“I think that she brings to the table a wider variety and cross-section of skills that will lead our port for the future.”
Prior to moving to San Juan County in 2012, Gibboney worked as a consultant in Jefferson County for 13 years, representing clients in their dealings with county agencies.
Commission Chairman Pete Henke said he chose Gibboney “because there is a difference between management and leadership.”
Commissioner Steve Tucker initially recommended Englin for the position because “he was not a safe choice” but eventually sided with his colleagues, making the vote unanimous.
Down to the wire
During their remarks, all three commissioners said the decision went down to the wire.
Tucker spoke first, endorsing Englin, with Clinefelter following with his support of Gibboney.
Henke then became the swing vote, saying that “as late as this morning I wasn’t really sure how this was going to end up.”
Tucker said that he first supported Gibboney, that she “really nailed the interviews,” but switched to Englin because he felt he had more ideas about how to move the port forward.
He said he knew his support of Englin would “make a lot of people who wanted a hometown person unhappy, but [Jefferson Healthcare CEO] Mike Glenn was an out-of-towner and he has done wonderful things as was [Port Townsend School Superintendent] David Engle.”
He said he favored Englin for his direct port experience because ports are different from every other form of government.
“We could be safe with someone we know or take the opportunity to be a little ahead of the curve,” he said.
Henke said he was also on the fence between Gibboney and Englin.
“They bring excellent, excellent qualities and would both do a fine job,” he said.
“They bring different tools to the equation but at this point I am more comfortable with Sam’s than I am with Greg’s.”
Peters, 46, currently employed by the state Department of Natural Resources in Chimacum, previously worked for the Jefferson County community development and public works departments as well as the King County Department of Transportation.
Englin, 53, most recently worked for the Seattle branch of the Icelandic company Marel as a vice president.
He worked previously for 13 years at the Port of Seattle, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Peters and Englin attended Monday’s meeting while Gibboney was not present because “they didn’t need me there.”
Friday interviews were conducted by a panel consisting of Quilcene activist Linda Herzog, former Port Townsend Mayor David King, rigger Gordon Nielson, engineer Bill Putney and Teresa Verraes, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director.
On Monday, the motion passed was for the port to enter into salary and employment negotiations with Gibboney.
There was no time wasted.
Henke flew up to Friday Harbor on Monday afternoon to meet with Gibboney and to “hammer out the details,” she said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
