Waterways group gives award to port’s Oliver

The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association last week presented Port of Vancouver Commissioner Jerry Oliver with its Distinguished Service Award.

Oliver, who is completing his second six-year term on the three-member port commission, received the award on Oct. 9 at the association’s annual convention in Vancouver.

He was selected for his service to the maritime industry, including leadership on port and navigation issues that improve the economic health of Southwest Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest.

“Commissioner Oliver has been a strong advocate for the Columbia-Snake River System, particularly the Columbia River Channel deepening project and the jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River,” Kristin Meira, the association’s executive director, said in a statement. “We are proud to honor his 12 years of dedicated service to the Port of Vancouver and the region.”

Oliver played a key role in the West Vancouver Freight Access project, a $250 million infrastructure initiative to expand the port’s rail system from 16 miles of track to nearly 50 miles.

Additional investments during his time in office include the 108-acre Centennial Industrial Park, the Terminal 1 waterfront development project and expansion of the port’s marine and industrial operations.

During Oliver’s tenure, the port’s annual economic impact in the region has grown from $1.6 billion to $3.8 billion, and jobs at the port and port-owned facilities have increased from 2,300 to nearly 4,000.

Oliver is not running for a third term and will leave office at the end of 2019. Voters will decide in the Nov. 5 election whether to replace him with Dan Barnes or Jack Burkman.