2026 Spring Meeting Presentations

Tuesday, May 19

Committee Meetings:

Legal (committee agenda):

• State Auditor’s interpretation that on call contracts for A&E services are limited to one year – Tim Schermetzler, CSD
• Implementation of Mandatory ADA Standards for Local ‎Government Websites and Apps (due 4/26/27)‎, Anna Nolan, Schwabe
• AI and Public Records, Tim Schermetzler, CSD
• Industrial Stormwater General Permit Update, Sara Frase, CSD & Brad Doll, Foster Garvey
• EHB 2179 – Payment to Labor Pensions and Membership in PERS, Lisa Lowe & Michael Garone, Schwabe

Trade & Transportation (committee agenda):

• WSDOT and Ports, federal grant interactions, Jay Drye, Director, WSDOT Local Programs

Marina (committee agenda)

•  Derelict Vessel Removal Program Update, Jerry Farmer, WA Department of Natural Resources

Environmental (committee agenda)

• Industrial Symbiosis and Project Overview, Kyle Gitchell, Circular Economy Development Director, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, Department of Commerce.
• 2025 ISGP Appeal Status and Legal Update, Sara Frase, Attorney, CSD Attorneys at Law

Economic Development (committee agenda)

• Shipbuilding and Maritime Manufacturing, What’s Next?
  Charlie Costanzo, Blakely Rock Strategies
  Ryan Casey, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition

Aviation (committee agenda)

• 2026 Legislative Session Recap-Aviation, James Cockburn & Martin Presley, WPPA, &  Jim Kuntz, CDRPA
• Airport Spotlight: Yakima Air Terminal – McAllister Field (YKM), Christopher Hopkins, Airport Director

Communications (committee agenda)

General Session Presentations:

Keynote Program: It’s goin’ down, I’m yellin’, “Timber!”
Jason S. Spadaro, WA Forest Protection Association
Heath Heikkila, American Forest Resource Council

World Cup in Washington: Regional Preparations & Long-term Implications
Cat Soper, Port of Everett
Beth Knox, SeattleFWC26
Pearse Edwards, SEA-Port of Seattle

Industry Update: The State of Nuclear Energy
Daniel Himebaugh, Energy Northwest
Andrew Neill, NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute)

Wednesday May 20

General Session Presentations:

Public Meetings & Public Records in the Age of AI
Tim Schermetzler, CSD Attorneys at Law
John Dumas, Port of Anacortes
Tiffany DeSimone, Port of Bellingham
Eron Berg, Port of Port Townsend

Washington’s Manufacturing Economy and Business Recruitment Strategies
Max Martin, Government Affairs Director, Association of Washington Business
Bret Marchant, Director of Data & Research, Greater Portland Inc.
Joey Gunning, Director of  Economic Development, Greater Spokane Inc.

Keynote: Maryhill Museum of Art at 100 Years
Amy Behrens, Executive Director, Maryhill Museum of Art

Report on the 2026 Legislative Session
Eron Berg, Legislative Committee Co-Chair, Port of Port Townsend
Eric ffitch, Executive Director, WPPA
Carly Michiels, Senior Director of Environmental Policy, WPPA
James Cockburn, Director of Marinas and Public Policy, WPPA

Port Reports
Port of Garfield, Diana Ruchert
Port of Grandview, Randy Tucker
Port of Anacortes, John Dumas

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