At the end of Monday’s regular Port of Port Angeles commission meeting, Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren announced that he will be leaving the helm on December 31, 2015. Director O’Hollaren cited being closer to his grandkids and an opportunity in the private sector as his reasons for leaving the Port. He and his wife, Denise, plan to make their new home in Clark County Washington in 2016.
Director O’Hollaren joined the Port of Port Angeles as the Interim Executive Director on August 6, 2013 and then was hired by the Commission as the permanent Executive Director on April 1, 2014. He brought over three decades of public port experience to the Port of Port Angeles. O’Hollaren was the longest serving Executive Director in the State of Washington while at the Port of Longview before retiring in 2012 and then accepting the position in Port Angeles the following year.
“It’s been a privilege to serve the Port as Executive Director, and particularly to work alongside an exceptionally capable staff. My successor will have the good fortune of having that same privilege,” said Director O’Hollaren.
“Ken’s leadership, his dedication to our mission and his unwavering passion for doing what is right helped set the stage for our next level of success. Ken brought a sense of perspective that allowed our staff and commission to work collaboratively on addressing today’s issues and preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Port Commission President, Jim Hallett. “Our community is a better place thanks to Ken. His grandkids are lucky and all of us at the Port wish Ken the very best.”
The Port’s current Deputy Director, Karen Goschen will serve as the Interim Executive Director during the transition period. The Commission will take some time to lay out a process for hiring a new Executive Director and will share this with the public in the weeks ahead.