PORT TOWNSEND — The changing of the guard at the Port of Port Townsend will conclude with the installation of a new port director.
Sam Gibboney, 54, who was the director of environmental resources/deputy director of public works for San Juan County, will replace Larry Crockett, 68, who is retiring Wednesday after 17 years in the position.
“I’m excited about the combination of old and new,” said Gibboney, who lived and worked in Jefferson County for 20 years.
“I’m familiar with the community but I’m in a brand new role, and sometimes there is value when someone comes in with a fresh set of eyes.”
The port will operate without a director for five days, because Gibboney’s first day will be June 7. Her first port commissioner meeting as director will be June 8.
The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in chambers, 333 Benedict St.
Gibboney was offered the position after unanimous approval May 9 from Commissioners Brad Clinefelter, Pete Henke and Steve Tucker.
She will receive a $120,000 yearly salary.
At his retirement, Crockett earned $126,000.
Crockett and Gibboney said one of the most important single issues facing the port is the replacement of the Point Hudson breakwater, which reflects the need for infrastructure rehabilitation.
“Most of the marinas on Puget Sound were built in the 1960s and 1970s when land was cheap and permits were easy to get,” Crockett said.
“They are now at the end of their life expectancy and ports are grappling with the cost, especially since it takes three years to get a permit for any project,” Crockett said.
Crockett’s retirement is the second step in a significant top management change. Deputy Port Director Jim Pivarnik resigned in April to lead the Port of Kingston.
Crockett did not fill the position to allow the next port director to do so, for the time being Pivarnik’s duties are split between Director of Finance Abigail Berg and Director of Planning Eric Toews.
Gibboney is undecided about filling the position.
“I need to get to know the organization and clarify expectations,” she said.
“As a manager, my view is to look at how many seats do you need on the bus. Do you have the right people and are they in the right seats?”
Gibboney said the decision will be based on the yearly budget and will be resolved prior to its preparation in the fall.
Crockett said the port’s annual budget is about $6 million.
He said the port is now on financially sound footing.
“When I came here, the commissioners had to take out a line of credit to pay their bills,” he said.
“It was like a family sitting at a table deciding if they were going to pay the water bill or the electric bill that month.”
Upon announcing his retirement, Crockett said he intended to isolate himself from the port but he now says he’ll be available for needed advice.
“You can’t walk away from an organization after 17 years and not want to see it do well,” he said.
“I just don’t want to turn into one of those old curmudgeons that writes letters to the editor or sits in the meetings in the back of the audience nodding his head.”
Gibboney knows the port director can be a lightning rod.
She said she has a thick skin “but hopefully that thick skin won’t cover my ears.”
Crockett said his greatest accomplishment was in the first few years and expects Gibboney might have the same experience.
“A lot of things I was able to accomplish I was able to do early on because I didn’t know I couldn’t accomplish them,” he said.
“The benefit of getting a new person is they don’t know what they don’t know yet.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.