Letter to Port staff: We are working with executive director to ensure all are heard
Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall has responded to the recent controversy surrounding Executive Director Sam Gibboney by sending a letter to port staff and stakeholders.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding made reference to the letter during Monday’s commission meeting and The Olympian was able to get a copy of it Monday night.
The letter was sent Aug. 2.
Iyall was spurred to act after 22 employees at the port sent a letter to the commission, saying they had no confidence in Gibboney’s ability to lead. That letter and employee comments about the port’s workplace environment were shared with The Olympian.
“The port culture used to be inclusive and employees felt valued and our opinions mattered,” one employee wrote. “Not anymore. The culture has been completely destroyed and no one feels safe or valued.”
Gibboney is in her fourth year at the port after spending two and a half years as executive director at the Port of Port Townsend.
“The Commission understands the importance of open and honest communication as the key to the success of an organization like ours,” Iyall writes. “We are fully aware of our fiduciary responsibility to the staff and citizens of Thurston County. The Port’s success has been tested, of late, and we wish to acknowledge our responsibility for the state of the Port, and our commitment to improving the work environment for all Port Staff.”
Iyall writes that the vote of no confidence “demonstrates the frustrations that people are experiencing.”
“We are grateful to those 22 employees for speaking out and respect their concerns,” he writes. “We are also grateful for the staff members who were not asked or chose not to sign the letter. All voices deserve to be heard on this issue.”
Up next for the commission is to work directly with Gibboney to “identify resources available and to create a plan to improve communication and ensure that all are being heard,” Iyall wrote.
“For the Port to successfully implement changes that will positively affect each and every staff person, it is essential to listen and hear all comments, concerns, and suggestions from every individual who cares to share,” Iyall writes. “It is the duty of the Commission to make informed, objective, and well thought out decisions regarding Port operations and we take that duty very seriously.
“Please work with us to share your thoughts and concerns and help us gain the perspective needed to complete our task and make the Port of Olympia the employer of choice in Thurston County.”
Commissioner Evans Harding also shared a few thoughts Monday after referring to the letter.
“The port staff is our team, and if we don’t have a healthy team, we can’t be of service to the broader Thurston County community,” she said.
This story was originally published August 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
