Port of Olympia commission approves start date, salary, benefits for new executive director
The Port of Olympia commission on Monday approved a contract for new executive director Alexandra Smith.
Smith is set to earn $210,000 a year. Her first day on the job is March 18, according to HR Director Ben McDonald, who reviewed elements of the contract with the commission before they voted on it.
Smith also will receive medical, dental and vision benefits that are comparable to what other port staff receive, plus vacation and sick leave. Both the vacation and sick leave banks start at 40 hours, he said. But after that they will accrue at 13.65 hours per month for vacation and 10 hours per month for sick leave.
McDonald also answered some questions from the commission.
Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada praised the port for running a transparent process to hire the next executive director, but she also heard from those residents engaged on port matters who were disappointed there wasn’t a question-and-answer session during the public reception for finalists.
Vasavada asked whether there was still an opportunity for such an event.
McDonald said that was likely a decision for the commission and Smith, although he added that he would be “happy to take that conversation to her.”
Vasavada also asked about Smith’s severance, saying there was concern about the “kind of severance packages customary in the port world.”
McDonald said Smith has agreed to a severance payment that will be capped at five month’s salary, down from a previous high of six months. In addition, should Smith be fired in her first 12 months on the job, severance would be paid out over only three months, he said.
Before the commission voted on the contract, they heard public comment from former commissioner Joe Downing.
Although Downing said Smith was a “great choice and he wishes her every success,” he also felt her salary was a little too high, compared to those who run the cities in Thurston County and the county itself.
“I would argue that the port is not nearly as complex,” he said, adding that he thinks the starting salary should be in the range of $180,000 to $200,000.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding echoed Vasavada’s comments about the need for Smith to take part in a town hall. She also praised Smith for being flexible on the severance terms.
“She’s investing in us and we’re investing in her and I really appreciate that,” she said. “I think it helps us turn the page, and I couldn’t be more excited to turn the page and for the bright future at the port with Alex and our whole port staff, commission and community. It’s very, very exciting.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
