Meyer to interview for Port position today

One candidate will appear at the Port of Whitman County commission meeting today, April 20, to interview for the open commissioner position. The seat became vacant with the passing of longtime commissioner Dan Boone on March 2.

Kristine Meyer, the executive director of the Avista Foundation, will be at the meeting for the interview and possible appointment to the board. Meyer said she sees this position as a vehicle for serving the community.

“I’m interested in it primarily for the opportunity to support the community and help provide and oversee the Port assets that help serve the community,” she said.

Meyer said she has never directly worked with the Port, but she and her family were served indirectly by the Port through their family farm near Pullman. Two weeks ago, she had the opportunity to attend the regular Port meeting and meet the staff and commissioners.

“They’re a great group of people,” she commented.

Meyer also said she has never served in an elected capacity, but she has served on boards of the local Red Cross and United Way. Her experiences with the Avista Foundation and the boards she has served on, she said, will be valuable if she is appointed.

“I think that the skills will translate,” she said. “I’m really excited about it, but nervous too. I think there’s some great opportunity to improve economic opportunity and provide jobs to help our communities and economy.”

Meyer has been with Avista since 2000. She commutes from Pullman to Spokane for her job. She said she sometimes works out of the Pullman office, and if appointed, she would be ready to incorporate the Port meetings and duties into her schedule.

“It works out. I have the support of my family and my company,” she said. “We’re both committed to community engagement.”

Meyer’s family farm is between Pullman and Colton, and she said it is directly across from where Boone lived. She had several opportunities to interact with him, she said.

“He’s been a tremendous community asset,” said Meyer. “He left big shoes, and I’m hoping to do a good job worthy of his performance.”

Meyer is at the top of today’s agenda for the Port meeting, set for 10 a.m. Her interview will take place before the business items on the agenda, which means that if she is appointed to the position at the meeting, she could end up serving in the role of commissioner immediately.

If appointed, she would fill the remainder of Boone’s term, set to expire at the end of the year, and she would also have to file as a candidate for the position in May.

“I’d get my feet wet and then file,” she said.

Port Executive Director Joe Poiré said that if Meyer is appointed to the position, she would be the first female commissioner for the Port, appointed or elected.

The meeting today is at 10 a.m. at the Port office building on Mill Street in Colfax. The public is invited to attend.