SOUTH WHIDBEY: Newcomer named as new Port executive director

Kira Erickson reports from the Port of South Whidbey special meeting of Thu., May 29, 2025 for the South Whidbey Record. Read the whole story.

Port of South Whidbey commissioners have chosen a new executive director, and it’s not one of the island’s own.

On Thursday, the board voted unanimously to extend an offer of employment to Randy Mueller of Ridgefield, Washington. Mueller’s 18 years of experience working for other port districts in the state appeared to impress the commissioners.

Other applicants who were interviewed this week include Stan Reeves, the previous Port of South Whidbey executive director who served from 2018 to 2023, and Blaine Oborn, the former city administrator for Oak Harbor who was terminated by Mayor Ronnie Wright in 2024.

Mueller most recently served as the CEO of the Port of Ridgefield and before that, the CEO for the Port of Chehalis, which he said are similar in size to the Port of South Whidbey.

They Said It

Reeves drew from his past experience as the port’s director, deftly answering a question about the way he handled a controversial decision on the fairgrounds that led to a long-term tenant occupying a building usually reserved for Whidbey Island Fair activities.

“In that particular instance, it’s entirely possible that we overstepped a little bit,” he said, but added something had to be done to get more business to the property.

Oborn, on the other hand, said he may be a little overqualified for the role, despite having no prior experience working in port districts, and admitted that he had never been inside the fairgrounds. He spoke about wanting to get out of the “political light” of Oak Harbor, where he had a rocky tenure, as previously reported by the Whidbey News-Times.

“I work to embed myself in the community,” [Reeves] said. “I become a part of that community. I’m not someone that’s going to clock out at five and go home and not be part of things.”

During his interview, he highlighted his ability to seek grants for various past port projects. His time as the Port of Ridgefield’s director of business development also appealed to the commissioners, who pointed out an increasing need for economic vitality in the South Whidbey community.

After spending some time in the area, Mueller and his wife are prepared to relocate to Whidbey Island since he resigned from his last role in March. At the end of his interview, he handed out a 90-day plan he had prepared for his first steps.

Following a lengthy executive session, the commissioners threw their support behind Mueller. Commissioner Curt Gordon said he thought Mueller could help grow the port with his experience in acquiring grants and other types of financing. Commissioner Jack Ng liked that he was willing to engage with the community.

On the Ballot in 2025