Port commissioners narrow choice for executive director

There's another round of interviews planned for next Tuesday

Posted

The Port of Olympia Commission narrowed its choices to two candidates for the new executive director: Mike Reid and Alexandra Smith.

The commission held a meeting today, February 8, to evaluate the qualifications of the top four candidates after interviewing them on Tuesday. The next round of interviews is set for an executive session next Tuesday, February 13, with plans for a public announcement at or after 5:30 p.m.

The discussion was held privately through an executive session. After the private portion of the meeting, the commission announced that they had agreed to conduct another round of interviews with Reid and Smith.

“The second round of interviews will provide an opportunity for the Port Commissioners to assess the finalists more closely and evaluate their qualifications, leadership abilities, and vision for the future,” the port stated in a news release today.

Reid is Olympia’s economic development director while Smith is the deputy director for forest resilience regulation and aquatic resources at the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

The other candidates who did not advance to the next round of interviews were Joshua Cummings, Thurston County’s community planning and economic development director, and Anthony Hemstad, the principal of a lobbying and economic development consultancy, as well as a member of the port’s citizens advisory committee.

Comments

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  • Boatyarddog

    Glad to see Smith in this Choice, she is much respected in Olympia and absolutley has the Qualities that our Inlet requires to repair some of the damage done.

    Reid has planning background, yet other than some small developments around town?

    Not much Help.

    SMITH

    Thursday, February 8 Report this

  • wildnature

    I'm disappointed that Anthony Hemstad was not included.

    Friday, February 9 Report this

  • Qphillips

    It appears that the best two candidates have gotten to the end.

    I am optimistic for the future.

    Sunday, February 11 Report this