Biographical Information
Town Where You Live
Port Orford
County
Curry
What skills and experience would you bring to the board?
I was born and raised in Port Orford, where my dad built his life as a commercial fisherman. I started working as a deckhand at a young age, learning the industry firsthand and earning my place through hard work. Those years on the boat shaped who I am today. Now I work as a seafood buyer, building on everything I learned from the people who spent their lives on the water. My experience gives me a strong understanding of what the port needs to be successful. I bring hands-on knowledge, a calm and steady approach to problem solving, and a way of working with people that builds trust. I believe real experience on the working side of the port is what it takes to make smart decisions and get real results for the people who depend on our port.
What are your priorities for the upcoming term, and how would you address them?
My priorities are protecting working space for fishermen and seafood businesses, improving safety across the port, and making sure major infrastructure projects, like the new cranes and dock upgrades, are done right. These projects and decisions need to support the people who work at the port every day, not just check a box. I believe some changes, like raising rents, were necessary, but the way they were handled showed poor communication and little consideration for how they would impact our fleet and tenants. I will address these priorities by staying involved daily, listening to the people who rely on the port, and making decisions that keep the port strong, fair, and built to last.
How would you prioritize the needs of the Port’s various users (e.g., industrial, commercial, recreational)?
The port was built and kept alive by working people. The fishermen and buyers who showed up through every storm are the reason it is still standing today. Their hard work and commitment are the foundation of the port and the community around it. My first priority is protecting the people who rely on the port to make a living. I believe the port should stay rooted in work, but there is room for new opportunities and users who respect what the port stands for. The best way to grow the port is by supporting the people already here and giving them the tools to succeed. A strong working port will naturally attract a wide range of new users, businesses, and opportunities for all.