The Port of Olympia will continue to pay former Executive Director Sam Gibboney until February 2024, Gibboney’s separation agreement with the port shows.
The agreement, which The JOLT received only yesterday following our public records request made on September 20, reveals that Gibboney is still under paid administrative leave and will continue to receive her regular wages until her separation date on February 1, 2024.
Her salary is $198,876 per year, or approximately $3,825 per week. For the final 20 weeks of her employment, from September 19, 2023 through February 1, 2024, the port will pay Gibboney approximately $76,000. The port commission raised the salary retroactively to January 1, 2023, on June 26.
After the separation date, the Port will pay Gibboney a lump sum of $75,000 as severance pay. Documents state that the port’s insurer, Enduris, will reimburse the port in the amount of $50,000.
Gibboney will also continue to benefit from the port’s group medical and dental plan and other benefit plans until February 2024. She will not continue to earn vacation and sick leave, but the Port will pay any unused vacation leave upon separation.
While under administrative leave, Gibboney is requested not to conduct any port business or represent the Port’s behalf unless directed by the Port Commission or Interim Executive Director Rudy Rudolph. Occasionally, Rudolph may consult Gibboney about historic port business matters.
Gibboney signed the separation agreement with Rudolph on September 19. The same day, she also sent a letter to the Port of Olympia Commission notifying her separation of employment.
The separation agreement states that Gibboney releases the port, "without limitation, claims for:
wrongful termination or constructive discharge, including claims based on violation of public policy; breach of agreements including the Employment Agreement attached as Exhibit A; representations, policies or practices related to Ms. Gibboney's relationship with any Released Party; or based on any legal obligation owed by any Released Party."
"'Released Party" or "Released Parties" includes the Port of Olympia, and all of its past, present and future employees, elected officials, managers, supervisors, directors, officers, board members, representatives, agents, attorneys, assigns, insurers...'" according to the document.
The former executive director had been on an extended medical leave since June 5 and was placed by the Port Commission on paid administrative leave starting on August 7.
Gibboney joined the port as its executive director in January 2019. Port staff had called for Gibboney’s resignation as early as July 2022, when 22 employees signed a letter of no confidence citing various issues at the workplace.
In April this year, Commissioner Amy Evans Harding also alleged that Gibboney tried to “deceive the public” by asking the Commission to revise her performance review.
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Tractor1
What an absolute crock !!!! This is not the funds of individuals in the Port. they are taxpayer funds. From the information in the column it appears that Gibboney received the epitome of a "Golden Parachute".
To the Port Commissioners, current and future, please consider my vote for anything more than your statutory tax base as a thing of the past. I also hope that others in Thurston County feel the same way.
Unfortunately, the real reason(s) of terminating this individual will never see the light of day.
Friday, October 20, 2023 Report this
JulesJames
That's mighty generous of the Port to give taxpayer money away so lavishly. Ms. Gibboney has been on medical leave June to September, then gets full pay September to February, plus health benefits and an extra $75K kicker. When the Port hires, does it include these golden parachutes in the employment contract, or just make them up willi-nilly at the inevitable end? (Port folk, if you are reading: 2 weeks and COBRA bennys next time. OK?)
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
my, my.should we expect anything else? useless expenditures are the mission of the port. cranes, anyone?
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Report this
olyhiker
Hmmm. I'd love to be a mouse in the corner to see what is really going on here. I hope she doesn't get hired by anyone else without a thorough background check. Appears to me that she should have been terminated a long time ago.
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Report this
SLSilvet2021
Bill McGregor was a Port Commissioner who hired Gibboney. He did not do his job in vetting Gibboney — she was let go by Port of Port Townsend for similar actions and reasons.
But Bill McGregor didn’t do his “due dilligence” when hiring Gibboney.
Bill McGregor has the gall to be running for Port Commissioner again. Remember that when you fill out your ballot.
Vote “NO” on Bill McGregor. Vote for someone else.
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Report this
TonyW33
Once again the Port of Olympia proves it's tendency to pay top dollar for anything that has no benefit to the citizens and taxpayers of this county. We really must do everything possible to effect regime change at the Port. What a total waste of the opportunity to contribute to our economy. grrrrrrrrrrrr!
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Report this
Tractor1
BTW, The is the port district is for the entire county-, not for the city of Olympus.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Report this
Boatyarddog
Far as I and many are concerned
Sam Gibboney was a Freeloader
In a few short years She and others TRASHED our Ports Confidence, Upset the Community, took the Taxpayers money, then Hightailed out of here.
During her stay, she did little to benefit the Port.
She was wholly responsiable for the HUGE Loss the Port suffered
In 2018.
The port was under HER direction and she tried to lie her way out of Legal Trouble when the S. hit the Fan for a Stormwater Lawsuit.
Didn't work!!!
1.3 million Lost from the Taxpayers at a Port where it operates it the RED Every year for a decade or more.
SMITH has the Experience and With Transparency at her Core, she is a Great fit.
SE YA GIBBONEY.
Cant wait to hear what trouble you wiil stir up elsewhere.
Wednesday, February 7 Report this