Washington Public Ports Association recognizes David Ripp, Frank Chmelik, Gary Nelson, Patty Boyden, Steve Omdal, and Wanda Keefer with 2024 Life Member Awards

Each year the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) recognizes members of the port community for a lifetime of service at the association’s Annual Meeting in December. WPPA is pleased to recognize David Ripp, Frank Chmelik, Gary Nelson, Patty Boyden, Steve Omdal, and Wanda Keefer for their dedicated service and recognize them as 2024 Life Members.

David Ripp, Port of Camas Washougal

David Ripp retired this fall, concluding 20 years as CEO of the Port of Camas-Washougal and 30 years in the port industry. During his tenure as CEO, David was known for his team mentality and leadership on many major projects, including the Hyas Point waterfront development and construction of multiple buildings at the Port’s industrial park and airfield. David has also been actively involved in the WPPA, serving on the Executive Board for two years and as the Communications Chair for nine years.

“David has performed extraordinary service for the Washington public ports industry!” said Larry Keister, Port of Camas-Washougal Commission President. “His innovative ideas and leadership have created a thriving port that’s the economic driver for Camas, Washougal and East Clark County. And through David’s leadership, the Ports of Vancouver, Ridgefield, and Camas-Washougal are working together to bring job opportunities and economic growth to all of Clark County.”

Frank Chmelik, CSD, Attorneys at Law

Frank Chmelik, WPPA’s longtime legal counsel and respected columnist, advisor, and educator for Washington ports, is retiring at the end of this year. Frank co-founded his firm, now CSD Attorneys at Law, 26 years ago, and has lent his expertise in business, municipal, and environmental law to the public port industry for well over three decades.

“Frank’s name has been synonymous with wise, strategic legal counsel for the port industry for many years,” said Tim Schermetzler, CSD Principal. “He has advised ports around Washington, whether as their attorney or through his presence and participation with WPPA, and he leaves big shoes to fill. We are thankful for his long and dedicated service to our state’s ports.”

Gary Nelson, Port of Grays Harbor

After 24 years serving as Executive Director of the Port of Grays Harbor, Gary Nelson retired in March. The Port has prospered under Gary’s leadership; working together with Port staff, Gary succeeded in solidifying the Grays Harbor Pilotage District, reviving the Grays Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, and constructing several major projects, including the first ship loader for Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) at Terminal 2. These projects and others have helped bring millions of dollars in investments and hundreds of jobs to Grays Harbor. Gary also brought his skills to WPPA, chairing the Legislative Committee from 2013-2018, serving as Chairman of the American Association of Port Authorities from 2019-2020, and serving on the Executive Board for the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

“The Port was facing some major challenges as it struggled to transition from a log export facility. There were only eight vessel calls in Gary’s first year at the helm, and the closure of the marine terminals was a very real possibility. But Gary wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge, and he led the Port through a decade of diversification,” said Leonard Barnes, Executive Director of the Port of Grays Harbor. “One cannot overlook the milestones and accomplishments the Port achieved during Gary’s 24-year tenure, including the stabilization of shipping, rail traffic, and pilotage for the foreseeable future, along with growing the Port’s operating budget from $5.2 million to $40 million. But more than that, Gary built the foundation for a partnership with AGP that will bring dividends to AGP’s thousands of farmer members, the Port, our community, and our nation for generations to come.”

Patty Boyden, Port of Vancouver

Patty Boyden, former Director of Environmental Services for the Port of Vancouver, retired earlier this year, concluding a career of almost 25 years focused on environmental stewardship. Patty led the Port through creating and adopting a Climate Action Plan, forming a wetland mitigation bank—the first conservation tool of its kind in Clark County—and multiple legacy clean-up projects spanning 250 acres, successfully returning multiple brownfields to productive use. Patty also served on the WPPA Environmental Committee for several years up until her retirement, including a term as chair. She also served on the Washington State Ballast Water Working Group, the Washington State Department of Ecology Model Toxics Control Act Advisory Committee, and numerous local habitat and water resource preservation groups and committees.

“What solidified Patty’s reputation at WPPA has been her willingness to share the expertise she gained through these experiences to help ports across the region navigate complex issues and ultimately succeed in their missions,” said Julianna Marler, Port of Vancouver USA CEO. “Patty has maintained a willingness to offer guidance to anyone nimble enough to meet with her on a stand-up paddle board or in a kayak. Patty is eminently qualified and deserving of the prestigious Life Member Award and will continue to represent WPPA and the greater port community well.”

Steve Omdal, Port of Skagit

Steve Omdal served as a Commissioner for the Port of Skagit for more than a decade before his unexpected passing in September. Steve is missed and fondly remembered by the port community, in part for his dedication to preserving and enhancing economic opportunity for Skagit Valley farmers and local businesses, and for his passion for public service and enthusiasm for building relationships in the Washington port industry. WPPA benefited from his leadership on the Executive Committee, and his work reflected his values and his vision. We are deeply grateful for his service and honored to acknowledge Steve with our Life Member Award.

“In my time knowing Steve, I found him to be passionate about ports, about public service, and about the people with whom he worked,” said Eric ffitch, WPPA Executive Director. “He joined our Executive Committee in 2024 and immediately brought his characteristic enthusiasm to the work of leading this Association. I always enjoyed talking with him about his vision for the time he would spend on the Executive Committee, and what our Association could mean to our members. I will take with me his spirit of curiosity, and he and I shared a love of visiting and touring port members across the state.”

Wanda Keefer, Port of Clarkston

January 2024 marked 17 years of service for Wanda Keefer as the Port of Clarkston Executive Director. Wanda’s accomplishments include powerful advocacy for the Columbia Snake River System and its multiple benefits for the local and state economies, as well as for agriculture and tourism dependent upon the river system. In 2020 Wanda was recognized for her contributions by the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, receiving their Distinguished Service Award. Wanda’s advocacy also helped bring broadband to communities across Washington, and her foresight in promoting inland river cruises brought numerous private investments and opportunities to communities stretching from Astoria to Clarkston. Wanda also chaired the WPPA Environmental Policy Committee in 2021 and 2022.

“Wanda championed the development of broadband in underserved or unserved communities,” said Chris Rasmussen, Port of Clarkston Executive Director. “Her outreach efforts with the Washington State Department of Commerce and state legislature helped shape the broadband policies and opportunities that many ports rely on today. As the number of women in port leadership roles across the state continues to grow, it is appropriate to recognize that in 2006, when Wanda began as the Executive Director, she was an anomaly. In a male dominated profession, Wanda contributed to the statewide port community and successfully led the Port of Clarkston for 17 years.”

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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, Executive Director
Washington Public Ports Association
E: effitch@washingtonports.org
T: 360-763-1179