2025 Life Member Awards

Don served the Port of Tacoma as a commissioner for more than fifteen years from 2010 to 2025 after having previously been on staff, including a time as
their Deputy Director. During his tenure at the Port, he was a fixture at Washington Public Ports Association events and a leader in the port industry. He served on the WPPA Executive Committee from 2016-2020. Don championed infrastructure, economic development, and a ​sustainable working waterfront. Among his many roles, he represented the statewide importance of ports on the Governor’s Connecting Washington Task Force, was active member of Tacoma Rotary #8, and served on the Pierce College Board of Trustees.

“Commissioner Meyer was a friend and mentor to any who met him in his many capacities at the Port of Tacoma and at the Washington Public Ports Association,” said Eric ffitch, Executive Director of
the Washington Public Ports Association. “He had the staff perspective, the elected perspective, and always thought not just about his port but about the statewide ports system. He made a mark on WPPA and his legacy will be one of selfless commitment to his community, to the Port of Tacoma, and to The Northwest Seaport Alliance.”

Commissioner Amy Evans Harding served just one term at the Port of Olympia, but in that time made a lasting mark on WPPA through her engagement with the work of the Association.

“Commissioner Harding has been an important voice within WPPA since her arrival at the Port of Olympia,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “She immediately volunteered her real estate background as an asset to the Association, serving as Chair of our Investment Committee and offering guidance to staff and our Executive Committee on not just our management of the Ports Building in Olympia, but our WPPA budget and dues structure. We are grateful for all she’s done for WPPA.”

Commissioner Ryckman has served on the Port of Pasco Board of Commissioners since 2012 and currently holds the position of Board President. Her leadership extended beyond her professional roles into meaningful community service. She served for eight years on the Pasco School Board, including time as Board Chair, and brought the same level of dedication to her role as Board Chair of the Washington Public Ports Association, where she helped shape statewide port policy and advocacy.

Jean’s influence and service reach “Throughout her tenure at the Port, Commissioner Ryckman consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of her port district and the broader public port community,” said Eric ffitch, WPPA Executive Director. “She had a keen ability to match civic service with strategic vision, setting her port on a course that has made it an asset to the Tri-Cities community. In her time on the WPPA Executive Committee, she stewarded the Association through challenges and strengthened the organization. She will be missed and remembered as a visionary leader.”

Dan Stahl served the Washington port industry for more than 30 years, beginning in 1994 at the Port of Anacortes where he rose to Executive Director, before serving in leadership at the Port of Bellingham and then becoming CEO at the Port of Longview. He served the WPPA as the Executive Committee Treasurer in 2022 and 2023, and oversaw major changes not just at his port but at the Association.

“Dan leaves a legacy of calm, steady, principled port leadership,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “Bringing genuine operational experience to our industry, from his time as a mariner, Dan became a mentor not just for me but for many leaders across the Washington port industry. And somehow managed to fit in time as a major industrial infrastructure developer, taking the Port of Longview to new heights and setting a high standard for port leadership. We could not be more grateful for his dedication to our industry.”

Rob served the Port of Bellingham for more than seventeen years and was the CEO of the port from 2012 to 2025. During his tenure at the Port, he was a fixture at Washington Public Ports Association events and a leader in the port industry. He served on the WPPA Executive Committee as Treasurer from 2020-2021, two challenging years for ports marked by pandemic upheaval and uncertainty.

“Rob brought private sector savvy and real estate acumen to the Port of Bellingham and to our entire industry in Washington,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “Throughout his service, he demonstrated leadership based on his love for the community he served, and he acted as an advisor and mentor to many other directors around the state. He was a spark in our Association and we were improved as an organization through his service.”