Todd Gubler has resigned as general manager of Fort Worden Public Development Authority (FWPDA) effective April 28, and the position is not being filled until after the summer season.

Dave Robison, executive director of the FWPDA, said Gubler resigned April 11 for personal and family reasons after his mother died. Gubler currently is working remotely from Las Vegas, Nevada, and from Utah, where his family owns property, Robison said. He’s working on several special projects over the next three months to ensure a smooth transition, Robison added.

Gubler joined the FWPDA in January 2015, less than a year after the FWPDA assumed management of 90 acres of the 434-acre Fort Worden State Park on May 1, 2014.

“Todd brought extensive hospitality skills and experience to the FWPDA, and we are extremely appreciative of his hard work and dedicated efforts over the past two-plus years,” Robison wrote in a press release. “Todd played a key role in the growth and development of the fort’s hospitality services, working to transform our operating and ensuring its financial sustainability.”

Before coming to the FWPDA, Gubler had been general manager of Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park.

INTERIM TASKS

Gubler, who had been earning $95,000 a year, became a temporary 90-day contract employee effective May 1, and was given the task of meeting with the reservations team on a weekly basis; helping with sales strategies, revising rates for 2017 and developing new rates for 2018; as well as helping with group reservations, according to an agreement with the FWPDA.

Gubler also has been assigned to research, identify and develop feasibilities studies on renovating or developing new accommodations to support the Lifelong Learning Center. Those accommodations could include the Point Wilson Lighthouse, a glamping project, a Noncommissioned Officers Row renovation effort and Building 203 renovation. He also is to research, assess and recommend a property management and reservation system, according to the agreement, which Robison provided.

“Life has changed dramatically for me recently, and I feel the need to make some life changes that result in the ability to better support my family and achieve greater personal balance,” Gubler wrote in a resignation letter.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Robison listed Gubler’s contributions as diversifying the PDA’s customer base to include groups, weddings and travelers; updating the PDA’s reservation system and operation; and upgrading the quality and diversity of Fort Worden’s accommodations.

Gubler oversaw an operating budget of $3.5 million in 2015 and grew that to $4.5 million in 2016 and 2017, according to Robison.

“Todd’s accomplishments were many during his tenure,” said Norm Tonina, chair of the FWPDA board in a press release.

While a replacement for Gubler is not imminent, Robison said the FWPDA plans to re-evaluate its staffing plan after it gets through the summer season.

In the meantime, it is recruiting for a sales and marketing director to “fill in the gap with Todd leaving.”

The FWPDA began co-managing 90 acres on May 1, 2014, starting with 16 full-time employees.

After inheriting food service responsibilities and purchasing the laundry and linen service, that rose to 63 jobs.

Robison said Monday that the FWPDA currently has 66 full-time equivalent employees and is forecasted to have 120 employees, including part-time employees, in the peak of the summer this year.