Port of Skagit mourns for Steve Omdal

Port of Skagit Commissioner Steve Omdal died unexpectedly Sept. 28.

Omdal was first elected as a Port of Skagit Commissioner representing District 2 in 2012. His motivation for seeking the position was to bring new ideas and a “for profit” business background to enhance the ability of the port to improve economic development opportunities for all Skagit County residents, Port Communications Director Linda Tyler said in a news release announcing Omdal’s death.

Omdal grew up on a dairy and crop farm in Bow. The experience helped him embrace and understand the importance of value-­added agriculture, and the required infrastructure for production, manufacturing and marketing for the industry, Tyler said. 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 manufacturing jobs creation, along with the value-added agriculture sector. His collaborative style included a desire to learn and a willingness to brainstorm.

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, Tyler said. Omdal 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.

Before 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 was to the Burlington-Edison Kiwanis Club, Tyler said. Since 1988, Omdal had been a proud Kiwanian, serving both his local community and in a leadership role as a Division Lieutenant 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.

Source: Port of Skagit