OLYMPIA, Washington – On Friday, February 13 th , WPPA presented longtime Port of Kalama Commissioner Randy Sweet with the Association’s “Outstanding Service to the Industry Award.” Commissioner Sweet received his award at an event in Kalama that celebrated his accomplishments and long service to the port.
Since 1995, WPPA has been recognizing members of the Washington port industry who have “provided a significant and meaningful contribution to the success of a public port district or the public port industry at the local, national, or international level.” Commissioner Sweet easily met and exceeded the criteria for the award, having served more than two decades at the Port of Kalama since his election in 2005. During that time, the Port of Kalama underwent a boom of development that consistently delivered on the promise of Washington’s ports: economic opportunity, consistent with the values of the community they represent. He was reelected three times before deciding in late 2025 to call time on his career of civic leadership.
“Commissioner Sweet truly exemplifies the qualities of a port leader in Washington state,” remarked WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch, speaking at Commissioner Sweet’s retirement event in Kalama. “He brought significant experience to the role, having worked in business in an industry directly relevant to port operations. He acted as a member of the board, allowing the staff to lead while providing strategic direction and vision. And he embodied the spirit of personal connection and family that defines our port industry in Washington”
Prior to his port tenure, Commissioner Sweet enjoyed a decorated business career, founding the pioneering consulting firm Sweet, Edwards, and Associates in Longview, WA. The firm was purchased by Emcom in 1986, but Commissioner Sweet continued his work with the new firm, helping maintain drinking water and groundwater deposits at sites across Washington.
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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was authorized by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development districts, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.
CONTACT
Eric ffitch, Executive Director
360-763-1179 cell
effitch@washingtonports.org
