PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Economic Development Council’s executive committee wasted no time Tuesday in appointing a longtime Port Townsend businessman-consultant as the agency’s interim director.
Joe Breskin, 58, a former custom sailboat-builder and software business developer, will work in transition with Tamer Kirac until Kirac leaves Feb. 28 after serving 14 months at EDC.
Kirac has accepted a position with the U.S. State Department as an economic development adviser for 18 war-torn Iraq provinces.
He will be based in Baghdad’s U.S. military-protected “Green Zone,” beginning around March 15.
Breskin, who is already working for EDC under a project consultant contract, was with Kirac on Tuesday at the EDC offices in the Frontier Bank Building on Upper Sims Way.
“My first job is to look at what’s going on, hear suggestions, then make suggestions,” said Breskin, who is developing a county Strategic Economic Development Plan.
Marine trades, technology
Breskin, who might become a candidate as permanent executive director, said he sees marine trades and technology jobs as critical to the county’s economy.
While the marine trades are booming, Breskin said, “Technology is not taking off here. Why? That’s for me to find out but not to say.”
