Peninsula port boss plans departure

Published 3:00 pm Sunday, February 22, 2026

NAHCOTTA — Port of Peninsula Executive Director Jay Personius is bowing out a year and a half after a state audit identified financial mismanagement, Open Public Meetings Act violations and other problems. He will serve in his position until March 31.

The resignation came several weeks into a year in which he only has one staunch ally — its former chairman, Phil Martin — left on the port’s three-person elected commission.

Bill Derion, who had been Personius’ other supporter on the commission, lost a bid for reelection when he was ousted during the Nov. 4, 2025 election by John A. Oakes. Oakes unseated the incumbent by capturing more than 71% of the vote.

At the first meeting of this year on Jan. 9, the previous script flipped when the commission’s new majority voted to move Chuck Mikkola, who was elected to the board in 2023, to head up the board. He had previously been shut out of most decisions, with Personius, Martin and Derion largely ignoring his input and questions.

Mikkola characterized Personius’ departure as unexpected. “It was a surprise to all three commissioners; although we were asking that some changes be implemented,” he said.

Achievements cited

Despite the issues spotlighted by the state auditors and an earlier conflict with the Washington State Department of Ecology, Personius pointed to accomplishments during his 12 years at the port, the last nine of which came while serving as executive director.

Personius kicked off a resignation letter boasting a $3 million project set to begin at the port this year for a maintenance dredging, stating “this milestone reflects many years of hard work by the Port of Peninsula team and close coordination with our neighboring Port of Willapa Bay to permit our offshore sediment dumping areas.”

He said the port is in solid financial shape, with less than $300,000 in low-interest outside debt and a capital project account balance of over $2.3 million.

Problems stacked up

However, between 2022 and 2025, the port was plagued with issue after issue that included financial disarray, mismanagement and scolding by auditors. In his resignation letter, Personius indicated the port will be able to provide the state with what it needs to comply with an upcoming follow-up audit.

“We submitted our 2025 Annual Report to the State Auditor’s Office 120 days ahead of deadline so that FY2025 can also be included in our upcoming State Audit,” he said.

In 2023, the port faced up to $14 million in state fines for operating an unpermitted boatyard and not having a stormwater prevention plan, before Ecology was placated and the crisis was averted.

At the time of the Ecology dispute, then-Port Commissioner Bonnie Cozby said, “The jeopardy could be catastrophic. The port does not have the money to pay such fines if imposed.” Cozby, who was succeeded in office by Mikkola, was an outspoken advocate for openness and better managerial practices at the port.

The port also was sued by one of its major tenants, Pacific Seafoods, which ended in a closed-door settlement after racking up substantial lawyer bills.

Important planning

“As we move toward the centennial of our port’s founding, I hope residents throughout the port district, from Long Beach to the edge of Oysterville, will take an active role in the upcoming comprehensive plan update scheduled for later this year where the port’s new strategic goals will be determined,” Personius said. “That is a great opportunity for our community to help shape the next phase of our long-term economic development priorities and share their ideas for our future.”

Personius said that the port “accomplished nearly every goal in our current strategic plan and more” during his tenure.

Other cited accomplishments included two articulating hoists, reinforced main dock, wave-dampening tech, an ice plant, festival venue, and the first electric vehicle chargers in the county.