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WPPA Staff Members

Patrick Jones, Executive Director
Patrick Jones was appointed Executive Director of the Washington Public Ports Association in December of 1992. As Executive Director, Patrick represents the state ports' interests to state and federal elected and appointed officials as well as to international and domestic business, trade and investment interests.

Patrick is also responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the Association, including administration, budget, communications, policy and strategic planning functions.

Prior to joining WPPA, Pat served as Director of Government Relations for the Port of Seattle, where he was responsible for federal, state, and local government relations for the Port. He also served as Vice President of Government Relations for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), representing US seaport interests before Congress, federal regulatory agencies, and the International Maritime Organization.

Pat received his bachelor's degree in history from Boston University. His graduate studies were in the Port and Marine Transportation program at the University of Washington. Originally from Connecticut, Pat is an accomplished sailor. He and his wife live in Seattle and he has two grown daughters.

Eric Johnson, Deputy Director
Eric Johnson joined the Washington Public Ports Association in 1988 as the Environmental Affairs Director. In December of 2006, he was promoted to his current position of Deputy Director. He works on a range of environmental and land use issues affecting ports, including endangered species act issues, cleanup policies, wetlands, and dredging. With the Association's Legislative Committee, he develops and directs WPPA's legislative program.

His duties also include port aquatic land and harbor management policies. He was lead author of the 1994 amendments to the Model Toxics Control Act, encouraging cleanup and re-use of contaminated industrial properties, as well as the 1996 re-write of state habitat mitigation policy.

Eric received a bachelor's degree in biology and political science from Pacific Lutheran University. He is also a graduate of the University of Washington's Graduate School of Public Affairs, receiving a Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in environmental policy and natural resource management. Prior to joining WPPA, he worked for the Washington State Senate.

A native of Washington State, he lives in Olympia with his wife and two daughters.

Ginger Eagle, Government Affairs Representative
Ginger Eagle joined WPPA as Government Affairs Representative in July, 2005. She represents the port community before the legislature on issues of economic development, freight mobility, and public works funding. In addition, she works with the Association's Cooperative Development and Trade and Economic Development, developing policies designed to ensure a port district's success in its community.

Prior to joining WPPA, Ginger served as Vice President of Programming for TVW, the state's public affairs television network. Ginger worked at TVW from its inception in 1995. She also spent many years working as a staff member for various legislative offices.

A native of Whatcom County, Ginger received a bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College. She is very active in her local PTA chapter. She lives in Lacey with her husband and daughter.

Richard Myers, Policy Analyst
Richard Myers joined the WPPA at the beginning of the 2007 legislative session. He provides legislative support to the WPPA team, including research, analysis, and technical assistance related to a wide array of port district issues.

Richard graduated from The Evergreen State College, where he first became interested in public policy as an intern in the State Senate. He went on to work as a legislative assistant in the State House of Representatives and as a manager for a successful legislative campaign.

Originally from Eastern Washington, Richard now makes his home in Olympia.