Port of Centralia Commission Finalizes Executive Director Job Posting

Commissioners agree on salary range and qualifications for next port leader

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Port of Centralia Commission is nearing completion of its job posting for the next executive director following a recent workshop. Commissioners discussed and agreed upon a salary range of $127,000 to $190,000, as well as key qualifications and responsibilities for the role. The full commission is expected to vote to finalize the job posting details at an upcoming meeting.

Why it matters

The selection of a new executive director is a critical decision for the Port of Centralia, as this leader will be responsible for overseeing the port's operations, finances, and engagement with the local community and government. The commissioners' focus on transparency, public accountability, and aligning the executive compensation with that of port employees signals an effort to restore trust and strengthen the port's relationship with constituents.

The details

During the workshop, commissioners proposed various salary ranges, with the final range set at $127,000 to $190,000 based on the average of the individual proposals. The commissioners also discussed key qualifications, including experience in public service and management of public funds, as well as the new director's role in communicating with the public and elected officials. Commissioners emphasized the need for the executive director to keep the port commission and public fully informed on significant matters, rather than determining which issues are appropriate to bring forward.

  • The Port of Centralia Commission held a special meeting on February 11, 2026 to discuss the executive director job posting.
  • The full commission is expected to vote to finalize the job posting details at its regular meeting on February 18, 2026.
  • The job posting is expected to be sent for advertising in early March 2026, with applications accepted for about a month before the review process begins.

The players

Peter Lahmann

Port of Centralia Commissioner who proposed a salary range of $120,000 to $170,000 for the executive director position.

Ally Pickard

Port of Centralia Commissioner who proposed a salary range of $90,000 to $200,000 and advocated for increased transparency and public accountability in the executive director's responsibilities.

Amy Graber

Interim Executive Director of the Port of Centralia.

Eric ffitch

Director of the Washington Public Ports Association, who provided Lahmann with salary range information for port executive directors across the state.

Kyle Markstrom

Port of Centralia Commissioner who proposed a salary range of $170,000 to $250,000 for the executive director position.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not really comfortable with that statement of determining what issues are appropriate. The commission has a history in the past of not being informed enough on issues, and then, by extension, the public is not informed of issues.”

— Ally Pickard, Port of Centralia Commissioner

“I've seen in our past documentation that we've left the citizens out. We need to make sure that everybody gets a chance to have a voice.”

— Peter Lahmann, Port of Centralia Commissioner

What’s next

The full Port of Centralia Commission is expected to vote to finalize the executive director job posting details, including the salary range and qualifications, at its regular meeting on February 18, 2026. Once finalized, the job posting will be sent for advertising in early March 2026, and the port will accept applications for about a month before the review process begins.

The takeaway

The Port of Centralia's efforts to be more transparent and accountable in the selection of its next executive director, including aligning the compensation with that of port employees and emphasizing the need for strong public engagement, signal a shift towards restoring trust with the local community and ensuring the port's leadership is responsive to the needs and concerns of constituents.