Sara Young takes over as skipper of Port of Skagit ship

The Port of Skagit has opted for a Young, yet proven, approach to chart its future course of attracting economic opportunities to the La Conner Marina, Skagit Regional Airport and related ventures.

Sara Young is the new Skagit port district executive director, having officially assumed the chief leadership role last Wednesday after14 years at key Port positions.

Young succeeds longtime Port of Skagit Executive Director Patsy Martin, who in 2019 announced her intent to retire this August.

Port officials and La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes, noting Young’s prior planning and managerial experience, anticipate a seamless transition in Port leadership.

“Sara has done a wonderful job with the Port,” Hayes told the Weekly News. “We’ve worked together on various issues in the past. I can tell you that she has a strong background in planning and has been front and center when it has come to dredging projects on the channel.

“I think her selection is also a testament to Patsy Martin’s leadership,” Hayes added. “It assures a certain continuity and I anticipate a smooth transition.”

Port Commissioner Kevin Ware echoed Hayes.

“We grow our own here,” Ware said, “and we are fortunate to have a very capable professional like Sara Young on staff who is highly experienced, can advance into this position and lead in the same direction established by Patsy Martin.”

Young, who is from the Upper Skagit Valley, has served as the Port of Skagit’s planning and environmental manager, Airport Manager and Director of Planning and Facilities. She earned a master’s degree in soil science from the University of Idaho and completed work on her MBA at Washington State University.

“Growing up in Marblemount and then working in environmental and conservation fields early in her career,” said Port of Skagit Communications Manager Linda Tyler, “has given Sara a deep appreciation for the landscape of our valley and its future.”

Young is especially mindful of the local impact of the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina.

“The La Conner Marina represents one of the Port’s earliest endeavors and most significant assets,” she said Thursday ,. “The boating community and maritime manufacturing sector are both really strong right now, which brings an opportunity to revision what this asset can do for our community and region.

“I’m excited,” Young stressed, “to work with our tenants and the La Conner community to ensure the marina contributes positively to this very special place both economically and in terms of complimentary life and culture.”

The marina has been a major presence on the north end of La Conner for more than a half century. The Port completed construction of the marina’s south basin in 1970, then developed its north basin eight years later. Dry boat storage and commercial boat moorage spaces were added after that.

Today, the marina has nearly 500 slips, most of which are covered and more than 2,000 lineal feet of dock space for overnight moorage. It is considered a premier destination for recreational boaters, commercial fishing interests and marine-related businesses and manufacturers.

Tyler cited Young’s background in economic development, specifically her work in rural broadband, as being ideal when it comes to generating opportunities for La Conner and Skagit County businesses and residents.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role,” Young said, “and see where the Port will go next. We have an excellent team in place and The Port of Skagit is well positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”