PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners have begun the process of hiring a permanent executive director.
Karen Goschen, port finance director, is acting as interim executive director until a permanent hire is selected to replace Ken O’Hollaren, who left at the end of 2015.
During a special meeting Monday, commissioners met with Larry Boone and Pat Jones of Jones Strategic Consulting of Seattle, an executive recruiting service, to establish qualifications for the position.
Jones said the process will take about 10 weeks: four to develop and approve the job listing, four to gather applications and two to select candidates.
“We should have candidates ready to interview in about 10 weeks,” he said.
Commissioners agreed the new port director must be willing to move to Clallam County or already live in the area, and said finding a director who has experience in every element of the port’s wide range of needs is unlikely.
“Our port is more complex than most. It’s a conglomeration of history,” said Commissioner Colleen McAleer.
The port needs a director who can inspire, choose a direction and lead staff in an efficient manner, possibly making changes to the way the port does things, she said.
“The processes we follow are maybe not so efficient,” she said.
Commissioner Steve Burke said the port needs a generalist who can oversee the port’s diverse business lines, work with other governmental entities including the tribes and maintain a relationship with the community.
The port needs a leader, not a manager, Burke said.
Currently, the port has plenty of managers who know what they are doing, he said, but the port needs a leader to provide direction.
Burke said he will be looking for firm leadership with the ability to work with people in partnerships, both within port staff and with public and private partners.
“We need someone who can take action without leaving chaos in their wake,” he said.
Commissioner Connie Beauvais said she wants to see a candidate who will be excited about leading the port into the future.
“They have to come in already interested in our port,” she said.
Getting the port into the view of businesses and customers — either directly or through the marketing director — must be a high priority and skill, Beauvais said.
“[Marketing the port is] something we have been deficient in,” she said.
McAleer said Goschen is doing an excellent job as an interim director, so McAleer is happy to wait until the port has the best possible candidate for the position before making a hire.
On Tuesday, interim director Goschen said she had not yet decided whether she would apply for the permanent position.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
