Port of Friday Harbor Welcomes New Port Director

Ted Fitzgerald – Contributed photo

The Port of Friday Harbor Commission is pleased to announce Ted Fitzgerald of Brookings Oregon as the new Executive Director at the Port of Friday Harbor beginning July 1.

After evaluation of more than 30 applications from around the country, Ted was chosen as the most qualified candidate to lead the Port of Friday Harbor.

Ted has been the Executive Director for the Port of Brookings Harbor on the southern Oregon coast, since 2008. He holds a law degree from the University of San Francisco.

Management of Brookings Harbor, a similar-sized organization to the Port of Friday Harbor, has given Ted the opportunity to become familiar with busy small port operations.

Ted, who grew up in Brookings and is well acquainted with the challenges and rewards of small town living has stated, “I’m looking forward to getting to know Friday Harbor better and finding out what contributions I can make to its beautiful airport and marina.”

In 2011, Ted was in charge of the multimillion-dollar rebuild of the Port of Brookings Harbor after extensive damage caused by tsunamis from an earthquake in Japan. Ted wrote grants and oversaw the reconstruction as executive director.

Ted and crew will be sailing his Irwin 53’ sailboat up the Oregon/Washington coast in June before he takes the helm at the Port.

The commission is grateful to retiring Port Director Marilyn O’Connor (please see accompanying article on Ms. O’Connor) who is retiring after 31 years of public service to our port. Because of her knowledge and leadership, Ted will take the reins of an organization with a strong bottom line, a rebuilt marina and breakwater and a beautiful new waterfront building complex at Spring Street Landing.

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