Submitted by Robert Hamilton

Port of Orcas Commissioner

I am pleased to report that the Port of Orcas has hired a new Executive Director. Chip Long will start this full-time position on July 1.

Chip and his wife, Elizabeth, have called Orcas Island home for five years. Chip retired from a career as an American Airlines Captain and Vice President of Flight Operations for the airline. He has plans to renew his EMT certification and has been volunteering on the local Mercy Flight, Orcas Community Participatory Agriculture, and the Orcas Severe Weather Shelter programs.

I wish to thank the many people who helped us select Chip from a strong pool of candidates. Our recruiting company started by interviewing local stakeholders about the attributes they desire in a Port manager and set up the search criteria based on that input. We had many of you show up for a “Meet the Candidates” reception held at the Orcas Center, and then five volunteers spent an entire day interviewing the three finalists. While all three candidates were well-qualified, the overwhelming response from those interview events was that the Port Commissioners should choose Chip as our new Executive Director.

Chip plans to hold events to better interact with the community, so please take an opportunity to say hello when you can.