The Port of Port Angeles board of commissioners on March 11 voted unanimously to hire Ken O’Hollaren as their new executive director. O’Hollaren has served as the interim executive director since August 2013 and officially will take the helm at the Port of Port Angeles on April 1.

O’Hollaren’s breadth of experience spans decades in Washington, Port of Port Angeles officials noted. He was executive director at the Port of Longview for 24 of his 32 years there. He was the longest-serving executive director in Washington at the time of his retirement in 2012.

O’Hollaren earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon and his MBA from the University of Portland. In 2008, he was named chairman of the American Association of Port Authorities, a post normally reserved for executives from much bigger ports.

In the 1990s, O’Hollaren served as chairman of the Washington Public Port Association’s legislative committee and most recently chaired the Interstate Columbia River Improvement Project to promote the channel deepening project.

“The Port is very fortunate to have Ken’s experience and leadership skills working for the Port of Port Angeles and Clallam County,” Port commission president Jim Hallett said.

O’Hollaren and his wife, Denise, will be relocating to Clallam County from Longview. They have two grown children and a grand-daughter.