Port of Centralia interviews three candidates for open commission seat

The Port of Centralia took the first step in a long appointment process this week to fill the vacant District 1 commissioner seat.

The sitting port commissioners - Ally Pickard and Peter Lahmann - held three public interviews with candidates for the position during a special meeting starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Centralia residents Thomas Davidson, Noel Putaansuu and Donna Rutledge answered the call for applicants and applied directly to the port to fill the vacant commissioner seat.

The vacancy was created with the resignation of Kyle Markstrom.

The interviews went faster than expected with all three together wrapping up in less than 40 minutes. The commissioners asked each candidate the same five questions during the process and allowed the candidates to remain in the room after completing their interviews.

The candidates were asked to describe the role they see for the Port of Centralia, their priorities, experience and ability to deal with conflict appropriately.

Davidson was the first to interview. He spoke of his desire for the port to bring high-paying industrial jobs to the area, often referring back to the bygone coal era that brought many family-wage jobs to Centralia and Chehalis.

"People I know think that they should be bringing in good companies to pay good wages, because that's how you get the growth," Davidson said.

Davidson reported working for the nearby coal mine and plant for more than 40 years. He also cited his experience as a fire commissioner. Davidson served first as a volunteer firefighter and then as a commissioner with Lewis County Fire Protection District 12, eventually overseeing its merger with the Centralia Fire Department and transition into the Riverside Fire Authority.

"I don't know how it would fit in with the port, but I was a volunteer and then a fire department for 25 years," Davidson said. "We went through putting together the city of Centralia's fire department and the district's fire department."

The Riverside Fire Authority has served the greater Centralia area since the 2008 merger.

Concerning priorities for the port and its current challenges and opportunities, Davidson said he preferred to reserve judgement until he could take a closer look at the port's affairs. He did include that he believed the Port of Chehalis was a good example of how the Port of Centralia should conduct business.

Davidson said he was more than comfortable working through disagreements with other port commissioners, stating "that's why you have a board of three."

Putaansuu was the second to interview with the port commissioners. He highlighted his experience as a fire investigator and previous service in the administration of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Putaansuu conveyed a relatively traditional view of the role of the port as a supporter of homegrown businesses, attractor of new businesses and facilitator of development and real estate transactions using industrial parks.

Putaansuu described himself as a "negotiator by trade," noting he finds comfort in disagreement and holds a desire to resolve them respectfully. He also noted a desire to develop close relationships with port tenants and staff.

"The top priority would be to work with the existing port people, listen to them, and use the facts and logic to come up with decisions," Putaansuu said.

He was the only candidate to address traffic as an ongoing issue, recognizing it as possibly the biggest challenge moving forward for the port. He added that he sees the positioning of Centralia Station, Port Park 3 right off of Interstate 5, as the port's biggest asset and opportunity moving forward.

Rutledge was the final candidate to interview with the port commissioners. She highlighted her background in education and experience in working with individuals of different backgrounds and cultures.

When asked about her previous experience with local boards or commissions, Rutledge cited 15 years of experience in workforce education working both in the U.S. and in China. According to her account, she served both as an instructor and administrator helping to establish programs for workforce education. She referred to her time working with Centralia College and the Thurston County Economic Development Council.

When it comes to the port itself, Rutledge described the port's role as "an umbrella" setting policy and "strategic planning" and acting as an administrator to local development. The Port of Centralia currently operates essentially as a large-scale landlord and real estate developer, seeking companies to purchase and develop industrial zones in the Centralia area.

Concerning priorities, challenges and opportunities, Rutledge said she would like to see the port consider the needs of vulnerable residents, including aging Centralians and members of the Latino community.

She argued effective planning has been a challenge for the port and spoke about her personal love for the local parks. She believes they are one of the biggest assets of the local area.

The three interviews are just the beginning of the Port of Centralia's appointment process, which will also include a two-week period for Centralia residents to nominate their own candidates for the position. The commission, at this time, expects to interview the public nominated candidates as well at a later date before making a final selection for a new commissioner at the beginning of August.

For more details on the appointment process, visit https://tinyurl.com/5bfbw4rz.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 11:21 AM.