Interesting Note of History   History of Leadership & Public Service

In 1952 voters of Walla Walla County overwhelmingly approved establishing the Port of Walla Walla whose boundaries encompass the entire county. By a 7 to 1 margin, voters favored formation of the public port district, which has broad authority under Washington state law to foster economic development. Besides approving formation of the port district, voters elected the Port's first three commissioners - William D. Ray, a Walla Walla farm implement dealer; William E. Vollmer, a wheat rancher and mayor of Waitsburg, and William E. Falconer, also a wheat rancher.

William D. Ray William E. Vollmer William E. Falconer

Formation of the public port district as the county's prime economic development entity culminated an effort initiated in 1938 by the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, the Grange and the Walla Walla Farm Bureau. The impetus for establishing the port district in 1952 was the 1954 completion of McNary Dam and its pool, which brought navigable waters to western Walla Walla County. As a result, the Port initially focused on developing industrial sites and facilities on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Port and River Grain Terminal, Inc. sign lease in 1958 to develop an 800,000-bushel grain elevator at Burbank.

The Port broadened its focus with the development of industrial parks and buildings in and around the City of Walla Walla during the 1970's and 1980's. Projects included building manufacturing facilities for Nelson Irrigation Corporation and constructing Key Technology, Inc.'s corporate headquarters at a cost of $8.8 million.

Key Technology, Inc. Ground Breaking 1989 Left to Right B. Loyal Smith, Mayor, City of Walla Walla Harold Frank, Chairman of the Board, Key Technology, Inc. Wes Colley, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Tom Madsen, CEO, Key Technology, Inc. Key Technology, Inc. Ground Breaking 1989 Left to Right Bud Prince, Chairman, Team Walla Walla B. Loyal Smith, Mayor, City of Walla Walla Senator Jeannette Hayner Tom Madsen, CEO, Key Technology, Inc

In 1989 the Port acquired ownership of the Walla Walla Regional Airport (2,200 acre complex) from the City and County of Walla Walla. Under the Port's leadership the airport industrial park has been revitalized and a new airport terminal building was constructed in 2000 at a cost of $10.5 million.

Walla Walla Regional Airport Passenger Terminal Facility Dedication December 2000 Left to Right Larry Adams, Walla Walla Regional Airport Manager Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Scott Gruber, Congressman Nethercutt's office Carol Key, Federal Aviation Administration Ken Jantz, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Jeff Pinneo, Horizon Air Larry Schwartz, Lydig Construction Dutch Hayner, Past City/County Airport Board Member Paul Coppock, The DOH Associates Paul Schneidmiller, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Jim Kuntz, Executive Director, Port of Walla Walla

CELEBRATION OF PROGRESS Four-Laning of U.S. Highway 12 June 30, 2003

RAILEX DEDICATION  and Celebration of Progress Four-Laning of U.S. Highway 12  October 26, 2006 Wallula, Washington

Ken Jantz Retires 2005 After 24 years of service on the Port Commission Board, Ken Jantz retires, leaving a legacy of service, leadership and progress.

Incoming District 2 commissioner Mike Fredrickson (Left) with outgoing District 2 commissioner Ken Jantz (Right).

RAILEX PROJECT RECEIVES PRAISE November 2006 Port of Walla Walla receives the Governor's Best Practices in Economic Development award for the Railex Project at the Governor's Economic Development Conference in Vancouver, WA

Left to Right Paul Schneidmiller, Port Commissioner Juli Wilkerson, Director of WA State Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development Dr. Fred Bennett, Port Commissioner

Port Receives Port of the Year Award December 2006 Port of Walla Walla is named "Port of the Year" by the Washington Public Ports Association.

Left to Right Fred Bennett, Port Commissioner Paul Schneidmiller, Port Commissioner Mike Fredrickson, Port Commissioner

PORT OF WALLA WALLA WALLA WALLA REGIONAL AIRPORT WINE INCUBATOR BUILDINGS LEGISLATIVE TOUR December 2006

Left to Right Paul Gerola, Economic Development Director, Port of Walla Walla Devin Stinger, Adamant Cellars Mike Fredrickson, Port Commissioner Jim Kuntz, Executive Director, Port of Walla Walla Paul Schneidmiller, Port Commissioner Representative Maureen Walsh Frank Chopp, Speaker Dr. Fred Bennett, Port Commissioner Representative Bill Grant

Governor Gregoire Dedication of Walla Walla Regional Airport Wine Incubator Project May 17, 2007

Celebration of Progress Four Laning of US Highway 12 (Phase 3 Complete) October 18, 2007 Wallula, Washington

Burbank Water System Completed  2008 The Burbank Water System supplies the Burbank Business Park and the Burbank community with clean drinking water.

Dr. Fred Bennett Retires 2009 After 24 years of service on the Port Commission Board, Dr. Fred Bennet retires, leaving a legacy of service, leadership and progress.

Port Receives "Going Above and Beyond" Award from Washington State Department of Health for the Burbank Water System 2009

Celebration of Progress Four Laning of US Highway 12 (Phase 6 Complete) July 20, 2010 Wallula, Washington

Port Continues Leadership Role in Washington State Penitentiary Taskforce 2010 During the 2010 legislative session, $6.8 million was secured for pre-design efforts for the kitchen, close custody and medium security expansion.

Burbank Interchange Dedication June 11, 2012

Railex Wine Services Distribution Groundbreaking August 5, 2012

Governor Christine Gregoire speaks at the Railex Wine Services groundbreaking.

Railex Wine Services Distribution Center Completed 2013

Interesting Note of History

When communities elsewhere in Eastern Washington as well as in Idaho were proposing to establish public port districts in 1958, representatives of those communities paraded to the Port of Walla Walla. The Port, then only six years old, already was experiencing a great deal of success in attracting industry to the county.  So, port-formation advocates and newspaper representatives came to Walla Walla to see for themselves why the Port here was so successful and how a port should function. At the time, voters were being asked to establish port districts in Chelan, Douglas and Asotin counties in Washington and Nez Perce County in Idaho. The Port of Walla Walla apparently was an inspiring example. Voters in all four counties subsequently authorized establishing public port districts.

History of Leadership & Public Service