Sam Gibboney, a civil engineer who specialized in environmental engineering during her 13 years in Jefferson County, is being offered the job as new executive director of the Port of Port Townsend.

The three port commissioners made the selection unanimous at a Monday, May 9 meeting that followed a lengthy executive session discussion of the merits of the three finalists. In the public meeting discussion, Gibboney was immediately endorsed by Commissioner Brad Clinefelter, and his choice won the followup support of Commissioner Pete Hanke. Commissioner Steve Tucker initially voiced his support for Greg Englin, until recently the operations manager for the Port of Seattle, but made Gibboney the unanimous choice by saying he understood her strengths and would support her also.

The third finalist was Josh Peters, former Jefferson County senior planner.

Gibboney moved from Jefferson County to San Juan County in 2013 where she became director of that county’s Department of Community Development. Staff roles shifted there; she was moved to the Public Works Department where she has had lead roles in solid waste, stormwater and other utilities, and customer service.

Gibboney told the commission during a public interview last week that she’s excited at the prospect of returning the port during a time when it faces engineering and financial issues related to its boatyard permit, its revenues and some level of mistrust from key constituencies.

Besides operating a private consulting firm while living in Jefferson County, Gibboney was a longtime board member and board chair of the Port Townsend Food Co-op, helping it navigate its way to financial stability, and ran one of the campaigns for Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) to the Washington State House of Representatives.

In her public interview, she emphasized that she understood what made Jefferson County and its port constituencies unique, given the artisan-based nature of the boatyard economy. “The mission of the port is economic development, to provide the infrastructure so business can develop. Infrastructure is my strength,” she said.

Outgoing Executive Director Larry Crockett, who has served in that role for 17 years, departs at the end of this month. Crockett noted at the Monday meeting that the commission vote is to offer Gibboney a contract – she is not yet hired.