Port’s Gibboney rates a 3 out of 5 in performance review. Here’s what the commission said
The Port of Olympia commission has asked Executive Director Sam Gibboney to show improvement in the “leadership arena,” according to her 2022 performance review, which The Olympian received via a public records request.
The commission completed that review this year and then voted 2-1 to give her a 4% raise in late June. A lot has happened since then.
During the commission vote, Gibboney was on medical leave. She extended that medical leave through mid-August, then was put on paid administrative leave without explanation in early August by commissioners Amy Evans Harding and Bob Iyall. Commissioner Joe Downing did not attend that meeting.
The Olympian requested a copy of the performance review in early August and received it Aug. 17.
Gibboney was reviewed in two areas: core competencies and meeting performance targets. Overall, she received 3 points out of a possible 5.
“This indicates the commission sees some need for further improvement in the leadership arena,” the review reads.
In the area of core competencies, Gibboney received 2.8 points out of a possible 5.
“While the executive director was praised for being likable, making a good first impression and maintaining a positive attitude, there were areas identified for improvement,” the review reads. “The commission suggested setting a benchmark for improvement in leadership for 2023.”
Gibboney received a 3.2 out of 5 for meeting performance targets.
The commission noted two more areas of improvement: clarifying financial measures at the port, and initiating the Destination Waterfront plan and the funding strategy for it.
Among her achievements, the commission cited the implementation of the ballot measure needed to expand the port commission to five members from three, and developing a phased approach to the remediation and restoration of Budd Inlet.
The port commission did not arrive easily at the final version of the performance review. In April, Commissioner Evans Harding tried to put Gibboney on paid leave after she said the executive director had requested edits to the review.
Evans Harding was outvoted at that April meeting, but she released a statement afterwards.
“Because her review would be subject to public records requests, Ms. Gibboney opined that presenting a heavily modified and redacted version of her review would ‘better serve the organization.’ She materially altered the commission’s honest, thoughtful review, because she said it would ‘further a narrative.’ She did not want our comprehensive feedback appearing in the public record.”
Evans Harding called her decision to alter the review “stunning” and an “overreach of her authority.”
In a statement sent to The Olympian, Gibboney said Tuesday that she was proud of the work port staff accomplished in 2022.
“From record breaking revenues to a new approach for the restoration of Budd Inlet, to the ongoing high-quality operations accomplished every day, we delivered results to our community and customers that are in alignment with the updated strategic plan and Vision 2050,” Gibboney said. “I hold myself and the Port staff to the highest standards of professional and personal integrity.”
She goes on to say that she looks forward to returning to “continue the important work of creating economic development opportunities and building community for all of Thurston County. “
Gibboney has been executive director at the port since January 2019. She came under fire in summer 2022 after 22 employees sent a letter to the commission, saying they had no confidence in her leadership.
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
