The Washington Public Ports Association honored Commissioner John Love’s 24 years of service at his resignation on July 2nd with a lifetime membership to the WPPA. Love had also previously served as a secretary of WPPA in 1998, as a vice president in 1999 and as president in 2000. An early champion of broadband access in Washington state, Love helped the Port of Whitman build 300 miles of dark fiber infrastructure ranging from the City of Spokane to the City of Clarkston.

According to a press release from the Port of Whitman, “Commissioner Love first took office in January 1996 after winning a three-way election to replace Robert Heglar, who served on the board for 18 years. In an interview with the Lewiston-Morning Tribune, Love said he ran for a seat on the port board for the challenge.

Over the course of his tenure, Love’s leadership contributed to several of the Port’s major achievements, including the development of Pullman Industrial Park and Port of Whitman Business Air Center, receipt of legal authority for ports to build telecommunications infrastructure and vast improvements to Boyer Park & Marina.

Love also represented Whitman County in the broader port and maritime industry. A former rear admiral in the United States Navy Reserve, Love’s leadership skills landed him seats on ports and waterways boards across the state. He also served on the board of Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and was recently awarded the 2018 Distinguished Service Member Award from the organization.

Ego was never present in Love’s approach to public service, Executive Director Joe Poire said.

‘John is a real statesman. The Port rode on his leadership at the state and federal level, as he was always asked to be on boards and committees,’ Poire said. ‘John’s leadership provided the Port a conduit to everybody. He opened doors that this Port had not experienced before. He brought the Port to a whole new level, and all the while he did it with great humility.’

The two remaining Port Commissioners, Kammerzell and Meyer, will appoint a new commissioner from District 1 within 90 days of the resignation. The person selected will need to run in the next open election in November 2021 in order to retain the seat. The winner of the election will serve out the remainder of Love's term, ending in 2025.”

We thank you for your service to residents of the Port of Whitman, to the WPPA, and for everything you’ve done for the broader ports community in Washington, Commissioner Love.