Eron Berg was recently selected as the new Executive Director of the Port of Port Townsend. “This was a very tough decision to make,” said Port Commission Chair Pete Hanke. “We had four great finalists. Each brought clear strengths to the job. But we feel Eron has the right mix of skills and experience to lead the Port through its next phase. We’re excited to work with him.”
As the current City Supervisor and City Attorney for Sedro Woolley, Washington, Berg isn’t expected to start in his new role until April. The outgoing Executive Director, Jim Pivarnik is due to retire in early summer.
Berg brings a broad range of municipal government and law experience to the job. In addition to being an elected official, he is also a commissioner of the three-member Skagit Public Utility District, which supplies water to 65,000 residents and businesses. He has served as the elected mayor of the town of La Conner and worked with the Port of Skagit on several projects including infrastructure, planning, permitting, and sustaining the Swinomish Channel.
Before his government service, Berg was an attorney with Cascade Law Center. He holds a law degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Science in psychology from Western Washington University. In his new role as Executive Director at the Port of Port Townsend, Berg is interested in pursuing public-private partnerships and leveraging outside support for the Port’s infrastructure replacement needs.The hiring process, guided by Karras Consulting of Olympia, initially produced 45 candidates from all over the world.
