FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Public Ports Association Recognizes Senator Mike Chapman
with 2025 Compass Award
PORT ANGELES, Washington – The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) works on behalf of public ports across Washington, representing the interests of ports at the state legislature and beyond. The Association relies rely on the leadership, vision, and partnership of our legislative champions to promote the success of Washington’s ports.
Since 2018, WPPA has been recognizing legislators who provide extraordinary leadership and unparalleled vision in advancing the importance and future of public ports for the residents they serve. Compass Award winners demonstrate pragmatism and a bipartisan approach to policymaking. Senator Mike Chapman (D-24th LD) embodies this collaborative and creative approach, and his style is aligned with the manner in which ports approach their work. The WPPA is excited to recognize him as the recipient of the 2025 WPPA Compass Award.
Senator Chapman was elected to the Legislature in 2016, having previously served four terms as a County Commissioner in Clallam County. He was a public servant even before seeking elected office, having worked for the Department of Homeland Security as a Customs Inspection Officer and as a local law enforcement officer. During his tenure in the House, he championed legislation related to port district workforce training programs, and was recognized by former
House Speaker Frank Chopp as one of the caucus’s leading voices on issues related rural economic development.
“Ports in Washington are lucky to have a champion like Senator Chapman, who has embraced the work of the ports in his district and devoted the same interest to the port industry around the state. From his work to provide budget resources to rural ports, to advancing legislation promoting our maritime and boatbuilding sectors, to developing a keen understanding of the supply chain in his seat on the Transportation Committee, Senator Chapman has been a collaborative partner and a strong leader for ports and port issues in Olympia,” said Eric ffitch, Executive Director of the Washington Public Ports Association.
Senator Chapman said: “Washington’s public ports are the primary economic engine for rural communities like mine. It is an honor to be recognized! However, the real recognition belongs to the all the Ports employees across our state. They work hard to provide economic growth and develop infrastructure so that Washington’s economy remains one of the strongest in the nation.” Each year, WPPA recognizes one Democratic legislator and one Republican legislator with a Compass Award. The other 2025 Compass Award winner is Senator Paul Harris (R-17th LD), and in 2024 the Washington Public Ports Association recognized longtime House Speaker Frank Chopp and longtime House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox.
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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
