Port of Edmonds Executive Director Angela Harris has resigned, effective June 9.
Harris, who served as an Edmonds Port Commissioner for five years before being appointed as port executive director in 2023, said she has taken a role in the private sector in technology, leading strategic planning and operations.
“I love the port – the fantastic community asset, the dedicated port staff, the challenges of building new infrastructure and planning for the future,” Harris said. “But it’s important to me to work for a leadership group more aligned with my principles,” Harris said in an email. “I’m very sad to be leaving and this represents an unforeseen departure from my initial long-term goal of serving the Edmonds and Woodway communities as the port executive director. This was a very difficult decision.”
Harris declined to elaborate on the reasons behind her decision to leave. “I truly admire the port staff and the service they provide to the community,” she said. “The port is a great public asset, in good financial condition to face the infrastructure improvements needed – as long as the right governing body is in place.
“The port will be undergoing a public master planning process in the next year, and the port commissioners will heavily drive the future of the port,” she said.
In her resignation letter, Harris said that she hopes her departure “inspires reflection and drives meaningful change within the commission. I encourage the commission to thoughtfully consider the long-term impact of its actions and commentary on the organization’s culture, staff and mission.” This includes “embracing the commission’s culture goal, respectfully adhering to the delegation of authority to the executive director, building and fostering trust, respecting role boundaries, promoting mutual respect, encouraging collaboration and prioritizing the port’s community-centered goals.”
Deputy Executive Director Brandon Baker will serve as the acting executive director while the Port Commission determines permanent leadership, the port said in a news release announcing Harris’ departure.
“Under Angela’s leadership, the port experienced significant growth and success,” said Commission President David Preston. “We greatly appreciate her contributions to the port and wish her the very best in her new endeavor.”
According to the port news release, the commission will announce further details on the leadership transition as decisions are made.
“We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition of leadership to maintain the Port’s stability and effectiveness,” Preston said.
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I am very sorry to see Angela’s departure. She has been at the head of all the work that the Port has accomplished with its new headquarters and through particularly complicated permit processes for the seawall replacement and plaza. I am very hopeful that the master plan will be completed when the final permits are approved.
I wish Angela continued success with her many talents.
Director Harris’ administrative skills, vision and leadership were extraordinary and her resignation is a huge loss for the Port and for our community. I am deeply saddened that the Port accepted her resignation rather than fighting to keep her. Elections are coming up- maybe this is the wakeup call we need that change is warranted.
Angela, you are very professional, always open to communication and a true asset to the Port. Due to your approach, I was truly inspired to become more interested in the Port. Your new opportunity is lucky to have you. Best of luck!
There’s an opening on this board. The Commissioners nominated Ross Dimmick in March, and started a public nomination period. Applications for additional candidates are being accepted until 4:30 pm today – Apr 17th. MEN has been reporting on this.
Sewing seeds of distrust……cryptic without calling out specifics on why “difficult decision” made to better align with your principles. I know nothing about her or the Port Authority but now have tainted view based on her cryptic statements. What I do know is if you don’t want to publicly discuss how the Port Authority leadership did not align with your principles, then better to say nothing publicly at all. Edmonds residents deserves transparency not more nuanced negativity.
Best Wishes Angela and Happy Trails ahead! I hope your dedication to the environment will continue with your successor as the Edmonds Marsh restoration will take a Herculean effort from many stakeholders. Perhaps another Storm game is on the horizon? Cheers to bright days ahead for you and your family.
Angela’s departure is a significant loss for our community. Her leadership skills, dedication to the Port, and cooperative approach to problem solving will be sorely missed as the Port faces a complicated future.
Edmonds and the Port can’t afford to lose such talented leadership in an Executive Director. We were fortunate to have her, and now I wish Angela abundant success in her future endeavors.
I am sorry to see Angela leave. She has been an excellent member of the board and will be difficult to replace. Best wishes to her and her future ventures.
Attracting proven leaders to local government is never easy, which is why Edmonds and the Port were fortunate to have Angela Harris serve as Executive Director. Angela brought both vision and the ability to deliver results, and her leadership has been a tremendous asset to our community. Her departure represents a significant loss for Edmonds.
I wish Angela great success in her next endeavor and hope she will continue to contribute to our community in new ways.
Thank you all for your kind words. Serving the community—first as a Port Commissioner, then as Executive Director—has been an incredible experience. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I truly appreciate the passion we all share for making Edmonds a better place. While my role is changing, my passion for Edmonds stays the same. I’m looking forward to staying connected and continuing to contribute in new ways.
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I am very sorry to see Angela’s departure. She has been at the head of all the work that the Port has accomplished with its new headquarters and through particularly complicated permit processes for the seawall replacement and plaza. I am very hopeful that the master plan will be completed when the final permits are approved.
I wish Angela continued success with her many talents.
Director Harris’ administrative skills, vision and leadership were extraordinary and her resignation is a huge loss for the Port and for our community. I am deeply saddened that the Port accepted her resignation rather than fighting to keep her. Elections are coming up- maybe this is the wakeup call we need that change is warranted.
Clearly a huge loss for the Port District and its customers. Clear skies and following seas Ms. Harris!
Best wishes, Angela. You were a true pleasure to work with!
It’s ominous that the Commissioners haven’t been sufficiently accommodating to retain Ms Harris.
Thank you for your years of dedication to the Port, Angela. I appreciate your many contributions as both commissioner and Executive Director.
Angela, you are very professional, always open to communication and a true asset to the Port. Due to your approach, I was truly inspired to become more interested in the Port. Your new opportunity is lucky to have you. Best of luck!
The private sector pays more.
There’s an opening on this board. The Commissioners nominated Ross Dimmick in March, and started a public nomination period. Applications for additional candidates are being accepted until 4:30 pm today – Apr 17th. MEN has been reporting on this.
Sewing seeds of distrust……cryptic without calling out specifics on why “difficult decision” made to better align with your principles. I know nothing about her or the Port Authority but now have tainted view based on her cryptic statements. What I do know is if you don’t want to publicly discuss how the Port Authority leadership did not align with your principles, then better to say nothing publicly at all. Edmonds residents deserves transparency not more nuanced negativity.
Best Wishes Angela and Happy Trails ahead! I hope your dedication to the environment will continue with your successor as the Edmonds Marsh restoration will take a Herculean effort from many stakeholders. Perhaps another Storm game is on the horizon? Cheers to bright days ahead for you and your family.
The Edmonds Port was very fortunate to have Angela’s leadership as Director and also as Commissioner.
Angela’s departure is a significant loss for our community. Her leadership skills, dedication to the Port, and cooperative approach to problem solving will be sorely missed as the Port faces a complicated future.
Edmonds and the Port can’t afford to lose such talented leadership in an Executive Director. We were fortunate to have her, and now I wish Angela abundant success in her future endeavors.
I am sorry to see Angela leave. She has been an excellent member of the board and will be difficult to replace. Best wishes to her and her future ventures.
Attracting proven leaders to local government is never easy, which is why Edmonds and the Port were fortunate to have Angela Harris serve as Executive Director. Angela brought both vision and the ability to deliver results, and her leadership has been a tremendous asset to our community. Her departure represents a significant loss for Edmonds.
I wish Angela great success in her next endeavor and hope she will continue to contribute to our community in new ways.
Thank you all for your kind words. Serving the community—first as a Port Commissioner, then as Executive Director—has been an incredible experience. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I truly appreciate the passion we all share for making Edmonds a better place. While my role is changing, my passion for Edmonds stays the same. I’m looking forward to staying connected and continuing to contribute in new ways.