Outgoing Port of Olympia commissioners bid farewell 

The Port of Olympia Commission concluded its final meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 8, with farewell remarks from three departing commissioners.

Two of the outgoing commissioners are Native American, prompting an unexpected presentation by a member of the Makah Tribe. 

In their statements, all three thanked port staff, fellow commissioners and the community for the opportunity to serve on the commission. 

Bob Iyall 

Commissioner Bob Iyall, a member of the Nisqually Tribe, said while they have not always agreed, he respected the intentions and dedication of each of the commissioners. 

“Good governance depends on diversity of thoughts, and I'm grateful to have served with commissioners who care deeply about making the port a stronger and more responsive institution,” Iyall said. 

He also addressed people who disagreed with the port’s direction. 

“My hope for the future is that this commission continues to move forward with purpose grounded in facts and transparency, and avoid allowing outside noise or political theatrics to derail the port's long-term work," Iyall said.

He served a four-year term that started in 2022. He became the president of the port commission in his first year and again in 2024. 

He ran for reelection in 2025, but lost to Jerry Toompas by a narrow margin. 

Amy Evans Harding 

Commissioner Amy Evans Harding, in her farewell remarks, reflected on the challenges in her term arising from concerns about a potential conflict of interest in her role as a broker for Kidder Matthews, a real estate firm that conducts business with the port. 

She noted that, over time, the situation stabilized and she had genuinely enjoyed serving on the commission during her final year. 

Evans Harding also spoke about the lessons she learned in public office, remarking, “It's easy to advocate for ‘no,’ but it takes courage to get to ‘yes.’” 

The commissioner spoke about finding the “responsible path” to “yes” and getting things done as laid out in Vision 2050, the port’s long-term plan. 

Known for ending her updates with a quote, Evans Harding concluded her final remarks by sharing a Latin phrase “coepere affirmatione,” which she said roughly translates to “begin with yes.” 

Evans Harding started on the commission the same year as Iyall’s and was the commission president for 2023. 

She did not run for reelection. Her seat will be taken by Krag Unsoeld. 

Maggie Sanders 

Commissioner Maggie Sanders, a member of the Makah Tribe, used her farewell remarks to invoke her great-grandfather, Chief Hishka, and her grandfather, Jerry McCarty, who shaped the principles that guided her public service. 

Sanders served a two-year term that started in 2024. She did not run for reelection and will be replaced by Joel Hansen. 

After her statement, Sanders called on her brother Micah McCarty to present a gift: a paddle that she crafted herself. 

Wielding the paddle, McCarty delivered a native song before handing out the paddle to Iyall, who later passed it to Commission President Jasmine Vasavada and Executive Director Alex Smith. 

McCarty said the paddle represents the enduring identity and legal authority of Indigenous communities. 

“I want this paddle to represent what it means today — in today's diversity — that we still know who we are and where we come from, and we still hold that legal status that we have,” McCarty said. 

“Indian tribes treaty governments are not as everyone else might think. We have a legal relationship, and that's really important. That's the fundamental foundation of accountability with our family of governments, because we are effective players in this game.”