Audra brings a vast amount of experience in strategic financial planning and leadership to the Port of Skagit, as well as a deep connection to the community.  Audra most recently served as the Director of Finance and Administration at the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) for eight years, where she successfully updated systems and processes across the organization to optimize effectiveness and efficiencies, as well as led strategic business programs and initiatives.

Through her work in the Skagit Valley, Audra has built a strong professional network while working closely with a variety of agencies, organizations, and non-profits.  “I’m thrilled to continue to work on behalf of the Skagit community,” Audra stated.  “This is an opportunity to further that work.”

Audra sees this role as a way to continue her community engagement and use that lens when considering how best to optimize the Port’s assets to better the community, the place where she calls home.  Audra has lived in the Skagit Valley for 30 years and is proud to contribute to the quality of life here through this new role.

As the Port’s Chief Financial Officer, Audra will be responsible for long-range financial planning for capital projects at the different Port properties, including La Conner Marina, Bayview Business Park, Skagit Regional Airport, SWIFT Center and the emerging Watershed Business Park.  Additionally, Audra will be a key member of the Port’s leadership team responsible for strategic direction, planning and oversight of the Port’s financial, risk management and audit functions.

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This family-friendly event will be held at the SWIFT Center, the former Northern State Hospital campus, in a picturesque outdoor setting so guests can enjoy the natural beauty and rich history of the property. The event is highlighted by two amazing local musicians Benny Sidelinger and Friends for the Ghost.

It’s a goal of the Port of Skagit to create events that bring light and life to the property and invite the community to enjoy the historic campus.

“This first ever music event is an opportunity to welcome the community to this property for an evening of entertainment and reach a new audience of folks who aren’t yet familiar with this amazing place and the potential it holds,” stated District 3 Port Commissioner Mahlon Hull.  “We are excited to have the community gather here, further engage with the property, and simply enjoy this tremendous public asset.”

The Port of Skagit took over the former Northern State Hospital campus in 2018 from the State of Washington after a multi-year effort to transfer the property to local public ownership.  The Port restored public access to the campus in 2019, and great progress has been made by Skagit Trail Builders to restore and build trails in and around the property that connect to the Northern State Recreation Area (NSRA), which is owned and operated by Skagit County.

The July 26^th event will begin at 5:30pm and will take place in a grassy area on the east end of the campus off Thompson Drive.  Guests should use the Fruitdale Road entrance to the SWIFT Center campus, go to Thompson Drive and follow the signs for parking.  Admission is free. The event will feature food and drink offerings from True North Bakery as well as a beer garden area operated by the Tipsy Trailer featuring beverages from Chuckanut Brewery and Garden Path Fermentation.  The Music in the Park @ SWIFT event follows the 4^th Annual NSH Public History Day hosted by Skagit County Historical Museum earlier that same day.

To view the event video with our featured musicians, click HERE.  

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The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) honored the Port of Skagit with the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award for the Vessel Turn-in Program the Port hosted at the La Conner Marina last summer.  The Port partnered with several different agencies to coordinate and host the event including Dept of Natural Resources, Dept of Ecology, Skagit County, Swinomish Tribe, NW Straits and others.  Through this program, 49 derelict vessels and more than 109 tons of materials were safely deconstructed and recycled at La Conner Maritime Services and are no longer a threat to the safety or health of our environment, waterways or marine habitat.

In addition, the Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA) recognized the Port with the 2025 WAMA Project of the Year award for several major construction projects at Skagit Regional Airport.  The rehabilitation of Runway 04/22 on the crosswind side of the airfield, along with the rehabilitation of Taxiway A and the main apron were among the major projects completed by the Port last summer.

“Receiving awards from two esteemed organizations like WPPA and WAMA is both an honor and a confirmation that the Port of Skagit is performing important work within our community,” stated Port of Skagit Commissioner Melanie Mankamyer.  “Not only are these projects helping to deliver the Port’s mission, they are investments in two very important areas of our work:  environmental stewardship and developing economic opportunities in the Skagit Valley.”

The mission of the Port of Skagit is “Working Together for the Greater Good of the Skagit Valley.”  The Port focusses much of its efforts on public infrastructure that supports job creation and economic opportunities at each of its five main properties: Skagit Regional Airport, Bayview Business Park, La Conner Marina, SWIFT Center and the soon-to-be developed Watershed Business Park.

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True North Bakery will offer grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, with plenty of pastries and treats to go with your coffee.  Owner Mia Peterson hopes that this style of food service will work well to attract people who work at the airport and adjacent Bayview Business Park on their lunch breaks and for business meetings, as well as the local community, visitors and pilots.  Indoor seating is available for anyone who wishes to dine in and enjoy the sights of the airport activity through the windows overlooking the airfield.

“It gives us such pride and joy to have a place to welcome you to visit, try all the new ideas we come up with,” said Peterson.  “We enjoy working with local community and small businesses. This new exciting venture wouldn’t be possible without these connections we’ve made.”

Hours of operation for True North Bakery, located at 15426 Airport Drive in Burlington, will be Monday through Friday 6:30am—3pm, and Saturdays 8am—3pm.  Breakfast offerings include challah French toast, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos and biscuits & gravy.  For lunch, customers can enjoy a variety of soups, sandwiches, pizza and salads.  A pastry case filled with croissants, bars, cookies and other delicious pastries rounds out the offerings.

Visit their website at Truenorthbakery.com to learn more about their story, their delicious menu items, and the wholesale and catering services they offer.

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Melanie Mankamyer is a newly retired Professional Engineer and former partner in Wilson Engineering.  Her 28 years of experience as a civil engineer provided her with vast experience in public works projects, developing long-term capital improvement plans, conceptual project plans and budgets, all of which are relevant and significant to the work of the Port of Skagit.

“The level of interest and the caliber of talented applicants were impressive, and the Commission is grateful for such a robust response to the vacancy,” stated Port Commission President Mahlon Hull.  “Melanie Mankamyer is a critical thinker who is well qualified for this role, based on her experience with land development, capital planning, and public projects, as well as her community involvement.  She is very well suited for this governance role as Port Commissioner for District 2.”

Mankamyer’s appointment represents a historic moment for the Port of Skagit, as she will be the first female Commissioner to serve for the port district in its 60-year history.

“My interest in becoming a Port Commissioner stems from my long admiration of the work the Port has accomplished in creating jobs and business opportunities for our community,” stated Mankamyer.

Mankamyer will be sworn into office at the Port Commission Meeting on Tuesday, November 12th.  She will serve out the remainer of the current term until the next general election, in November 2025, at which time she will run for election to the office.  The candidate elected in the general election in 2025 will serve out the remainder of the current term through 2029.

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Since relocating to the Skagit Valley, Shaun has worked closely with a variety of agencies and organizations in our community and has connected with local businesses to support economic development needs in the area. Shaun is eager to learn more about the Port of Skagit’s lines of business and connect with Port tenants to build upon positive relationships while supporting business growth.

As the Port’s Real Estate Manager, Shaun will be responsible for leading the development and management of the Port’s real estate portfolio, helping to define the highest and best use of properties, and identifying target markets and industry sectors that align well with the Port’s strategic plan and priorities.  Additionally, Shaun will help support the diverse, long-range work being done at the different Port properties, including La Conner Marina, Bayview Business Park, Skagit Regional Airport, SWIFT Center and the emerging Watershed Business Park.

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The appointed replacement will serve until a replacement is elected in the November 2025 general election.  That elected replacement will then serve the remainder of the current six-year term through the end of 2029.  To meet the statutory deadline, the Port of Skagit must appoint a replacement within 90 days.

Those interested in applying can access applications materials at the Port of Skagit’s human resources portal at https://portofskagit.bamboohr.com/careers/24 or by clicking HERE.

Interested individuals must be a registered voter within Skagit County, and must reside within the boundaries of Port of Skagit Commissioner District 2.  To determine if you reside in Port of Skagit District 2, please visit the interactive map for Skagit County Port Commissioner Districts through ArcGIS.com by clicking HERE.  Port staff will verify eligibility and notify applicants promptly.

To be considered, your application must be completed and received by the Port of Skagit (15400 Airport Drive, Burlington, WA 98233) or emailed to [email protected] no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024.  Applications received after 4:00 PM on this date will not be accepted.  Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the Port of Skagit Commission.  Public comment regarding applicants will be accepted prior to the Commissioners appointing a replacement at a future Port of Skagit Commission meeting.

For more information on what it means to serve as a public port commissioner, what public ports do for our local economies, and how your leadership can impact our entire community, please visit these links:

“What Ports Do”—Washington Public Ports Association

“One Hundred Years of Ports in Washington” –Washington Public Ports Association

Additional resources, including a “Commissioner Resource Guide” are also available online from the Washington Public Ports Association.

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Omdal’s business background was in sales and management with pharmaceutical companies Wyeth-Ayerst and BASF, and later on with FedEx Services.  His sales career began in the mid-1970’s with Western Farmers Association, a nod to his roots growing up on a dairy and crop farm in nearby Bow, Washington.  His experience on the farm helped Omdal embrace and understand the importance of value-added agriculture in our community today, and the required infrastructure for production, manufacturing, and marketing for the industry.  As a lifelong Skagitonian, his passion for agriculture, the preservation of farmland, and creating opportunities for Skagit growers and producers was widely known.

His focus as Port Commissioner was on jobs creation, particularly in the manufacturing sector, as well as growth in the value-added agriculture sector.  His collaborative style included a desire to learn and a willingness to brainstorm, “think outside the box,” and not be afraid of new ideas or opportunities that may arise in a constantly changing environment.  During his time on the Commission, Omdal was involved with several significant projects and initiatives that advanced the Port’s mission, including the acquisition of the former Northern State Hospital property from the State of Washington, the purchase of 123 acres for Watershed Business Park for expansion of the value-added agriculture sector, and the completion of fiber optic network infrastructure that brought broadband access to eastern Skagit County.

In addition to his career and Port work, Omdal was dedicated to his community and actively involved in several groups and initiatives.  He served on Skagit County’s Agricultural Advisory Board, the Executive Committee of Washington Public Ports Association, Skagit Council of Governments, the Genuine Skagit Valley Advisory Committee, and Home Trust of Skagit.  Prior to being elected to the Port of Skagit Commission, he was elected as Skagit County Fire District 6 Commissioner, serving from 2008 to 2012.  His longest tenured volunteer role, and arguably one of his greatest community commitments, was to the B-E Kiwanis Club.  Since 1988, Omdal had been a proud Kiwanian, serving both his local community and in a leadership role as a Division Lt. Governor.

Plans to honor Omdal’s service to the Port of Skagit and the greater Skagit Valley community will be announced at a later date.  The Port is required to appoint a new commissioner to replace Omdal within 90 days following his death. Next steps for the selection process will be discussed at a Special Meeting of the Port Commission at 11am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

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