Port of Skagit appoints new commissioner

The Port of Skagit Commission has appointed Melanie Mankamyer as port commissioner for District 2. The position became vacant after the sudden passing of longtime Port Commissioner Steve Omdal on Sept. 28.

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,” Port Commission President Mahlon Hull said. “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,” Mankamyer said.

She was sworn into office at the Nov. 12 port commission meeting. She will serve out the remainer of the current term until the next general election, in November 2025, at which time she could run for election to the office. The candidate elected in the 2025 general election will serve out the remainder of the current term through 2029.

Source: Port of Skagit