There are now some new faces around the airport

— by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter —

What with technological glitches that caused the postponement of two meetings and various other complications it hasn’t been an easy process, but over the course of the last month the Port Commission has chosen the new airport manager, appointed a new commissioner, and hired a clerk to provide support in the office.

Jeannie Sharpe has agreed to accept the job as manager of the Orcas Island airport and is planning to begin work on July 21. In a conversation after being offered the job, she shared her excitement and said that she is very much looking forward to taking on her responsibilities as manager of the airport. Sharpe also shared that she has dreamed of living on Orcas Island and working at the airport for years, especially after meeting former airport manager Tony Simpson several years ago and learning about what the job involved

Sharpe learned to be a pilot while living in Sitka, AK, where she lived from 2003-2013. While in Sitka, she was active with the Civil Air Patrol and Southeast Alaska Aviation Association and also organized two fly-in events for the regional airport that were similar to the annual Orcas fly-in.

Sharp has worked for Builders FirstSource, a Fortune 500 building supply company, since 2003. She will be leaving her job as the general manager of a branch in Olympia, WA to move to the island. In recent years, she has visited Orcas Island numerous times, including camping at both the airport and at Moran State Park. Her short-term plans are to live in her camper at Mt. Baker Farm and begin looking for a home to rent or purchase. Her husband will remain at their home in Centralia until it can be sold.

There is also a new Port Commissioner to welcome. At the June 22 meeting, Robert Hamilton was appointed to replace Steve Hopkins, who passed away in early May.

In an email describing his interest in serving as a Port Commissioner, Hamilton shared the following information: “I offered myself for the position because I love this island and this community, and wanted to be of service in a way that I thought could be of use. I know about airplanes and airports and I am also a neighbor of the airport. I am a strong believer in the responsibility of ‘trusteeship’, and as a commissioner my duty is to the community that owns the airport. As a neighbor of the airport and a private pilot, my goal is to help with the continued health of the airport, maintaining its status as an Orcas asset and safety net for the community while fitting with the essentially rural nature of the island”

He added that, “My desire for the airport facilities is to keep them clean, maintained, and renewed as needed. I appreciate having Caravans being able to fly into the airport, and can understand working with the FAA to find safer options for those aircraft. But we have plenty of room and have no need to think beyond our existing footprint.”

Hamilton began coming to Orcas Island in the 1960s. He and his wife Colleen purchased a home here in 1989, which serves as their legal residence. They divide their time between Orcas and a home in the Seattle area. His term on the Commission continues until 2021.

Kimberley Kimple was employed as Clerk to the Port Commission in early June. Like many islanders, Kimple wears several hats around the island. With over six-years of experience in special taxing district administration within San Juan County, she works for the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue as Public Information Officer and District Secretary, as well as with the Park and Recreation District.

Her knowledge of the Open Public Meeting Act guidelines and professional approach to supporting the Port Commission in its work has already revealed itself several times. She is also a freelance writer and editor and further serves the community as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician.

Kimple has had a life-long acquaintance with Orcas Island, beginning with numerous holidays at a family vacation home on the island as she was growing up. She moved to Orcas Island full-time 12 years ago and spends what free time she has with her husband Chad and their children.

Her initial commitment to the Port of Orcas was for a 3-month period. At their June 29 meeting, the Commissioners extended her term of employment until October. As clerk, Kimple is responsible for maintaining the airport website, posting minutes, preparing the agenda, and providing public notification for upcoming Port Commission meetings. She will also provide support for Jeannie Sharpe, the new airport manager.