Port Commissioners

Commissioner Joe Downing is in his second term as Port Commissioner.  He represents District 1 which is the center of our County, from Boston Harbor to Tenino.  In his role as one of three Port Commissioners, Joe represents the Port on the County’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), the Transportation Policy Board (a subcommittee of Thurston Regional Planning Council), the “Experience Olympia and Beyond” Visitors Bureau, and the Tenino Chamber of Commerce.

He views his successes as helping to bring a new fuel dock to Olympia, supporting the “Farm to Table” concept fostered by local agri-businesses, bringing new business for vacant land in Tumwater, encouraging gender equity by hiring females in key high-level positions, solving a long-standing problem regarding the Port’s stormwater treatment plant, and striving to bring new business to the Marine Terminal in order to make the Port even more self-sustaining.

Joe brings private and public sector work experience to his position.  He is adept at reaching out to people of all persuasions.  In addition, he demonstrates his love of nature through being a boater, a bicyclist, and a licensed Coast Guard Captain.  Joe loves the Port and supports its mission.