PORT ANGELES — The new executive director of the Port of Port Angeles is only known publicly as “Candidate A.”

Maintaining secrecy until an employment contract is drafted, Candidate A was chosen by the three port commissioners from two finalists in a closed-door executive session Monday.

A third finalist had already withdrawn from consideration.

The commissioners reconvened in open session to authorize their attorney to enter into contract negotiations with Candidate A.

A formal selection for the successor to former Executive Director Robert McChesney is expected at the next port commissioners’ meeting, Aug. 24.

Original field of 22

Twenty-two candidates applied for the position.

John Calhoun, port commission president, said he could not identify the candidate — nor could he discuss Candidate A’s background — until contract negotiations have been completed.

“I’m confident that we’ll be successful,” Calhoun said after the meeting.

McChesney resigned last spring to accept a similar position in Edmonds.

Port Finance Director Bill James has been interim executive director.

Interim status extended

Since James’ 90-day term would have expired today, the commissioners appointed him to serve as interim executive director for up to 30 days, or until the new executive director begins.

McChesney had been the executive director in Port Angeles since 2004.

He earned $123,000 per year. The port will announce Candidate A’s salary in a couple of weeks.

In other business at Monday’s commissioners meeting, the panel heard a staff report on a multi ­national Coast Guard exercise that Port Angeles will host Aug. 23-26.

Four ships to visit

The Pacific Unity exercise features Coast Guard-type agencies from Canada, Japan, Russian, China, South Korea and the United States.

Port of Port Angeles will provide berths for ships from Canada, Russia and Japan, plus a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

The fleet will depart for Seattle on Aug. 26.

The city of Port Angeles will help organize a welcoming ceremony and barbecue. A sports day is tentatively planned for Aug. 24 at Lincoln Park.

Meanwhile, the Port of Port Angeles is preparing a joint federal grant application with the city of Port Angeles and Clallam County for $30 million in transportation improvement projects.

The grant criteria include projects that make a major financial impact to economically distressed areas.

The final application is due Sept. 15.

If successful, the port will consider funding improvements to the Black Ball ferry terminal and a pedestrian overpass on Marine Drive.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.