December 8, 2003

OLYMPIA, Washington—Each year the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) recognizes outstanding service from individual members at the association’s Annual Meeting in December.

 WPPA is honored to recognize this year’s Outstanding Service to the Industry Award Recipients: Lary Coppola, Jim Orvis, and Jim Weber.

Lary Coppola, ports of Allyn and Manchester

The Washington port industry lost a dear friend and leader, Lary Coppola, on Sept. 30. Coppola left a legacy in his community and in two ports in Mason County – the ports of Allyn and Manchester – where he served as executive director and Commissioner, respectively. He had a long and distinguished public career, including serving as the mayor of Port Orchard from 2008 to 2012, and he was active in and dedicated to his community. Coppola was a prominent and reliable member of the WPPA, where he served important roles within the Legislative and Marina committees. He was always willing to teach those willing to learn and is remembered as a dedicated public servant and important guide for the port industry.

 “Lary was taken too early, but his legacy at WPPA is strong,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “Many enjoyed sitting and talking with, and learning from Lary, at our port conferences and at port meetings in Olympia. Other elected leaders – in Olympia and beyond – relied on him as a port expert and a dedicated public servant. Our communities rely on civic citizens who volunteer their time to advance the interests of their areas, and Lary was most certainly that.”

Jim Orvis, Port of Edmonds

Jim Orvis will retire at the end of 2023 after serving as Commissioner for the Port of Edmonds for the past 20 years. Throughout his tenure in office, Commissioner Orvis played an important role in Port finances, property acquisition, and environmental cleanup. He also served on multiple WPPA committees, including the Environmental, Marina and Legislative committees. Commissioner Orvis is deeply involved with his community, including serving as a founding board member of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County and participating in the Edmonds Public Education Foundation and the Blue and Gold Foundation. He has also provided coaching and leadership for the University of Washington Navy ROTC program.

 “Jim has left a positive and influential mark on the port industry. Locally, his role has greatly contributed to the Port’s strong economic success and environmental stewardship over the past two decades,” said Angela Harris, Executive Director at the Port of Edmonds. “Always dedicated to the betterment of his community, Jim never missed an opportunity to help build a better future for Edmonds.”

Jim Weber, Port of Everett

Jim Weber served the Port of Everett for nearly 50 years, retiring from his position as Marina Operations Director on July 31. He has the honor of being the longest-tenured employee in Port of Everett history.

 Weber joined the Port at the age of 16 as a seasonal employee. During his decades of service, Weber helped design, build, maintain and upgrade many of the Port’s marina facilities. He also helped start several programs, including Wheels on the Waterfront, Sail-In Cinema, Holiday on the Bay and several waterfront concerts. Weber is very proud of the marina staff, who have been recognized multiple times for running the largest public marina on the West Coast, including winning the national Marina of the Year award from Marina Dock Age in 2019.

 “I want to thank Jim for his many years of outstanding service to the Port of Everett,” said Lisa Lefeber, CEO of the Port of Everett. “As the longest Port employee on record, he not only has witnessed a lot of change at the Marina but also had a hand in guiding that change to bring us where we are today.”

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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was formed by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion. Learn more at washingtonports.org. 

 CONTACT

Eric ffitch

Washington Public Ports Association

E: effitch@washingtonports.org

T: 360-763-1179