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WPPA 2010 Executive Committee

President - Mike Ahrenius, Port of Friday Harbor
Mike comes to us with a diverse background.  He has worked for the National Forest Service, a private land survey company, various construction endeavors, and property management in the greater Seattle area.  For the last 19 years he has been in Friday Harbor working with his father-in-law at Jensen Shipyard, a small family owned yard established in 1910.  Coincidently, his father-in-law, Nourdine Jensen was one of the first Port Commissioners in Friday Harbor in the early 1950’s.   Mike has been serving as Friday Harbor Port Commissioner since 2002.  Although he owns a couple of boats and a couple of British sports cars, his first love is with anything 2-wheeled.  It’s not unusual to see him show up on one of his motorcycles for a port meeting – after all – parking is always an issue.

Vice President - Scott Walker, Port of Bellingham
Scott Walker had a diverse 28 year career with the Atlantic Richfield Company, now BP.  After stations in Montana, Alaska and Washington in environmental management and governmental affairs, he retired in 2002. First elected to the Port of Bellingham in 1991, he has served on many Whatcom County boards, including the EDC, Mt. Baker Red Cross, Bellingham Rotary, Friends of Birch Bay State Park, and others. He has been active for many years on the Western Washington University Foundation Board and executive committee. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Cincinnati.  He served with the Marine Corps in Viet Nam as a combat medic.  He and his wife Cherie live in Bellingham.

Secretary - J.C. Baldwin, Port of Chelan County
JC Baldwin took the oath of office on April 20, 2005 to fill a seat vacated by a retiring Commissioner. She was elected to a six year term commencing in 2006. Ms. Baldwin is a Cashmere resident and a Wenatchee business owner. She was the 2007 president of the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce and has served as president for the Wenatchee Valley Chamber. Ms. Baldwin is a member of the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance and Cashmere Rotary. She and her husband, Randy, have one teen-age son, Blake.

Treasurer - Larry Crockett, Port of Port Townsend
Larry Crockett has served as the Executive Director of the Port of Port Townsend since April of 1999. He directs a staff of 25 employees carrying out the policies and regulations established by the Port Commission and Washington State law. Born in Presque Isle, Maine in 1947, Mr. Crockett earned a BS degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and a MS Degree from Florida Institute of Technology, in Melbourne, Florida. He served 30 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Colonel in 1999.  Previous experience includes senior positions as an Inspector General, managing large facilities/organizations and in procurement. He is married to Ellen Crockett.

Past President - Dick Marzano, Port of Tacoma
A Tacoma longshoreman for 33 years, Mr. Marzano was elected to the Port Commission in November 1995. He was appointed by Governor Locke to be a member of the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, which is working to create a comprehensive and complete state program to facilitate freight movement between and among national and international markets that enhance trade opportunities. He served as president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23 from 1989-95, and currently serves as vice president of that union. He is a member of the Tacoma Chapter of the Propeller Club of the United States, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Hospitality Kitchen at St. Leo's Catholic Church and of the Foss Waterway Development Authority.

Past President - Jack Thompson, Port of Grays Harbor
One of the original founders of a successful community bank, an enterprising small business owner, a developer of several other small businesses, a member of the board of a large local manufacturing company, and a downtown redeveloper - Jack Thompson has been a vital member of the Grays Harbor community for many years. Currently in his 14th year as a Port Commissioner for the Port of Grays Harbor, Jack also serves as Chairman of the Grays Harbor Public Development Authority, owners of the Satsop Development Park, and has served on the Board of the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council for 10 years, currently as Secretary. He and his wife Trish live in Aberdeen, Washington.