The Port of Newport Port Commission welcomed its newest member when Gil Sylvia was sworn in to fill a vacant position on the board at their regular meeting on Tuesday August 27. Sylvia had been selected from a pool of three applicants at a special meeting held earlier in the day. Commission President Sara Skamser led the board through an interview process that also included applicants Leo Newberg and Mark Farley. At the conclusion of the noon meeting, Sylvia was selected and the oath of office was administered at the start of the regular 6 p.m. meeting.
Sylvia is a recently-retired marine resource economist from Oregon State University. He served as the director of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, which is explained on the university website as “dedicated to investigating marine resource and seafood related topics with economic and environmental significance to Oregonians, the nation, and the world.” In his letter of interest, he expressed the desire to “take my skills in economic analysis, systems thinking, and strategic planning and apply these skills to real world opportunities to advance economic development.”
In his interview, Sylvia said he enjoys public service. He has previously served on a number of local boards and was also a member of the Port’s budget committee. The vacancy on the Port Commission occurred in August, when Stewart Lamerdin stepped down as the result of an employment opportunity on the East Coast. Sylvia will fill a term that will expire on June 30, 2021.
Information provided by Angela Nebel, Port of Newport