PORT GOVERNANCE
Q. What are the primary responsibilities of a port commissioner? Glen Bachman, Port of Everett
My primary responsibility is to rep- resent the residents of the district that elected me while ensuring the Port is governed in a way that benefits the entire community. That means pro- viding oversight, making informed decisions on behalf of the public, and helping guide the Port’s long-term dir- ection in a fiscally responsible manner. Q. What skills or experiences are most valuable in serving effectively as a commissioner? Life experience is invaluable. A back- ground in business, industry or public service provides practical insight when evaluating opportunities and chal- lenges. Equally important is staying engaged with professional organiza- tions and industry groups, as they pro- vide perspective on emerging issues and best practices that can be applied locally. Q. What surprised you most about the role after you began serving? The greatest surprise was the amount of time the role requires. Being an effective commissioner extends far beyond attending board meetings. It involves preparation, community engagement, site visits, ongoing edu- cation and maintaining a thorough understanding of the issues that come before the Commission. Q. How do commissioners help shape the Port’s strategic priorities? Our role is to understand where the Port wants — or needs — to go in the future. That means becoming familiar with long-term development
community and environmental expectations? I believe the Port of Everett has demonstrated that these priorities can work together. We’ve cleaned up hun- dreds of acres of legacy contamination, restored significant environmental assets, earned numerous environmental awards and continued to develop pro- jects that strengthen our regional economy. Our development progress is something the entire community can be proud of. Q. How important is stake- holder engagement in decision-making? Public engagement is essential. Whenever there is a significant stra- tegic initiative, the Commission holds town halls or public meetings to hear directly from residents and stakehold- ers. Those conversations are an import- ant part of responsible governance. Q. What are the most pressing infrastructure challenges? Like many ports, we’re facing sev- eral major infrastructure challenges. Securing sufficient energy to power future developments while reducing carbon emissions is a significant pri- ority. At the same time, we’re work- ing to expand shipping terminals and continue investing in public access projects that benefit the community. Q. How do commissioners pri- oritize capital investments? We rely on detailed recommenda- tions from staff and management, who
Port of Everett Commissioner Glen Bachman
opportunities, regulatory requirements and community expectations so that when strategic initiatives come before the Board, we are prepared to make informed decisions that support the Port’s vision. Q. What are the biggest oppor- tunities facing the Port? One of our greatest opportunities is continuing to expand public access while also attracting new marine trade and business opportunities. A success- ful port serves both its commercial customers and the wider community, and finding that balance is key to long- term success. Q. What keeps you up at night when thinking about the future of the port industry? I’m concerned about the recovery of shipping activity following recent international tariffs and the impact of higher interest rates. Trade policy and the cost of borrowing both have a sig- nificant influence on investment deci- sions and can slow the development of important infrastructure projects. Q. How does the Port bal- ance economic growth with
26 — PACIFIC PORTS — July 2026
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