| Committee Name |
Chair/Co-Chair |
Typical Meeting Schedule |
Description |
Open to All Members? |
Staff Contact |
| Aviation |
Jim Kuntz, Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority |
Meet Up to 4 times annually |
The WPPA Aviation Committee is open to port executive staff, commissioners, and airport staff. The committee’s agenda is focused on impacting statewide aviation policy, learning about emerging issues and technologies and sharing best practices related to airport operations. |
Yes |
Chris Herman |
| Communications |
Lindsey Senter, Port of Chehalis; Summers Miya, Port of Benton |
Annual, as-needed, quarterly Lunch-n-Learns |
This committee is comprised of port staff and commissioners focused on communications and public relations. |
Yes |
Mandy |
| Economic Development |
Diahann Howard, Port of Benton; Mike Bomar, Port of Vancouver |
Meets 4 times annually |
This committee focuses on economic development drivers and policies intended to promote economic growth including through partnership with port districts and our tenants. The Economic Development Committee members are typically economic development directors at port districts where that position exists, and Executive Directors and Commissioners tend to find the issues of interest as well and sign up as members. |
Yes |
Chris Herman |
| Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) |
Laura Wolfe, Port of Seattle; Jennie Dickinson, Port of Columbia |
Quarterly, including Spring & Annual Meetings |
The WPPA Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) focuses on reviewing overarching policy, legislation, and strategy. Reviewing policy to identify an industry-wide position and may develop strategy around specific initiatives in preparation for legislative session relating to the state budget and high-level environmental issues. The EPC works on topical policy efforts, messaging, and advocacy – focusing on state decision-makers and communicating port impacts. |
No |
Carly Michiels |
| Environmental Technical Committee (ETC) |
Rob Healy, Port of Tacoma; Lisa Hendriksen, Port of Longview |
Quarterly, including Spring & annual meetings |
The WPPA Environmental Technical Committee (ETC) provides a space for industry experts to dig into the technical aspects of environmental issues. This includes both new and persistent environmental issues and working collaboratively to develop forward-thinking and proactive solutions. In quarterly meetings, this committee aims to have a more informed and deeper understanding of port impacts. This committee will provide WPPA feedback on more technical pieces of legislation, best management practices, engagement in rulemaking and the permit process. This committee will form technical sub-workgroups as issues arise like: Stormwater, Dredging, and Shoreline Management. |
Yes |
Carly Michiels |
| Finance & Administration |
Scott Goodrich, Port of Vancouver |
Quarterly, with more as needed to plan the Finance Seminar | The Finance and Administration Committee supports all Washington ports by fostering education, collaboration, and advocacy on finance, accounting, and administrative practices. The committee provides resources for ports of all sizes, works with the State Auditor’s Office to improve financial reporting and education, and contributes to WPPA seminars and policy discussions to enhance financial stewardship across the state. Additionally, the committee tracks legislative impacts and works to inform and influence evolving state and federal regulations affecting port compliance and financial management. |
Yes |
Tasha Cilurso |
| Investment |
Amy Evans, Port of Olympia; Patrick Harbison, Port of Kalama |
Meets 2 times annually or more as-needed |
Serve as an advocate within WPPA to promote financial stability, with a focus on planning, maintaining reserves, and preserving the Ports Building as a key asset. The Investment Committee acts in an advisory capacity, making recommendations to the Executive Committee on changes to the dues formula and the strategic use of major revenue streams including but not limited to the WPPA Building. The committee also provides support to the Executive Director and Executive Committee. |
No |
Eric ffitch |
| Legal |
Lisa Lowe, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt |
Spring & Annual Meeting, & as-needed |
|
Yes |
Eric ffitch |
| Legislative |
Mark Wilson, Port of Kalama |
The Legislative Committee meets monthly between June and November and in March as an interim legislative session update. The Committee provides a report to the WPPA General Membership during both the WPPA Spring & Annual Meetings. |
This committee focuses on legislative priorities, develops the Association’s annual Legislative Agenda, and recommends it to the Board of Trustees at the Annual Meeting. |
Yes |
Chris Herman |
| Marina |
Greg Englin, Port of Kingston; Tiffany DeSimone, Port of Bellingham |
Quarterly, including Spring & annual meetings |
The Marina Committee fosters collaboration by sharing policies, data, and insights to improve public marina operations and governance. It engages experts from other ports and third-party specialists to provide information while facilitating discussions with legislators and regulatory agencies to address challenges and explore solutions. The committee also highlights marinas statewide, promoting best management practices and success stories to enhance competitiveness and financial sustainability. Additionally, it advises the WPPA Legislative Committee on legislation, assessing potential impacts on marina operations and advocating for beneficial policy outcomes. |
Yes |
James Cockburn |
| Nominating |
Troy Stariha, Port of Kalama; Judy Scott, Port of Allyn |
A few times in the fall quarter leading up to the Annual Meeting |
|
By application |
Eric ffitch |
| Trade & Transportation |
John Wolfe, Northwest Seaport Alliance; Randy Hayden, Port of Pasco |
Meet 4 times annually |
The WPPA Trade & Transportation Committee committee focuses on a wide range of issues and topics including transportation and infrastructure planning and funding, trade policy changes, and state and federal policy changes that impact our transportation network and our trade-driven economy. Committee meetings often afford the opportunity for updates from port strategic partner updates, from railroads to shipping lines to exporters. |
Yes |
Chris Herman |
