Excerpted from the Daily News:
Ken O’Hollaren, the longest-serving port director in Washington, announced this week he will retire as the top official at the Port of Longview in December 2012.
Although O’Hollaren’s announcement comes at a time of turmoil at the port, his 25-year tenure has seen major growth and expansion at the port. During that time, the port has grown from 178 acres to about 830 acres. The port also approved a $20 million new rail corridor in 2004 and built a new $6 million ship berth in 2010.
Dan Coffman, president of ILWU Longview-based Local 21, said that he hopes the next port director will be someone who can bring more jobs to the area. “A go-getter, someone who’s going to attract business. Somebody who’s going to work well with business and unions,” he said.