PORT ANGELES — Jerry Ludke, a graduate of both Sequim High School and the U.S. Air Force Academy, is back on familiar turf as the Port of Port Angeles’ new airport and marina manager.

Ludke, the port’s former finance manager, succeeds Doug Sandau, who retired after filling the position for 3½ years. The change became effective June 1.

Ludke, 57, who was born in Port Angeles and grew up in Agnew, was introduced as Sandau’s successor at the port’s regular meeting last week.

“The position became available. It seemed good for the port, it felt good to me, and I’m happy with the opportunity,” said Ludke, who now lives in Port Angeles.

His responsibilities will include oversight of John Wayne Marina east of Sequim, the Port Angeles Boat Haven and William R. Fairchild International Airport, where he began working for the port in 2001 as assistant to then-airport manager Jeff Robb, now the port’s executive director.

Ludke will earn $78,220 a year compared with the $72,678 he made as finance manager and the $81,131 Sandau earned, Human Resources Manager Holly Hairell said.

The port is advertising for a new finance director at a salary range of $65,000-$80,000 depending on experience.

Ludke, a member of the Sequim High School Class of 1974, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1978 before serving in the Air Force for 24 years.

He has accumulated 2,000 hours as an Air Force instructor-pilot and taught economics for 10 years at the Air Force Academy.

He returned to the North Olympic Peninsula in 1998, teaching economics part time at Peninsula College and substitute-teaching at North Olympic Peninsula high schools before applying for the airport job in 2001.

Ludke’s wife, Diloy, is a retired unit secretary in the short-stay unit at Olympic Medical Center.

They have three grown children.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.