The Port of Olympia announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that it hired Mike Reid as its new director of community and economic development. His new role starts on the same day as the announcement.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Reid has been the City of Olympia’s economic development director since December 2017.
Before serving the city, Reid worked for the Port from 2007 to 2017 as the property development manager before being promoted to business development senior manager.
During Reid's tenure, the Port sold to the City of Olympia the property where the Hands On Children's Museum is currently located.
During his time in Olympia, he facilitated a partnership with Habitat for Humanity for a housing development on Boulevard Road, which resulted in more than one hundred affordable homeownership opportunities.
Reid also led pandemic economic recovery efforts and downtown improvements, and managed the city’s real estate projects, according to the Port’s announcement.
Olympia City Manager Jay Burney said in a Dec. 17 Olympia City Council meeting that he was excited to work with Reid in the future.
“I could not be more excited for Mike to pursue what he wants to pursue because it's time for Mike to put himself first,” Burney said.
“I look forward to Mike's journey and working with Mike as a colleague at the Port of Olympia.”
Reid has around two decades of public service and relationships with local partners to bring to his new role.
The Port stated that his familiarity with the community positions him to immediately impact current Port initiatives and business lines.
"I believe that we all want the Port to provide a return on investment not just in monetary value, but also a community value felt through the growth of living wage jobs, improved access to community amenities, and a cleaner and healthier environment," Reid said.
Before his new role, Reid applyied and was one of the finalists for the port’s executive director position after Sam Gibboney left the position.
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robcardin80
“I could not be more excited for Mike to pursue what he wants to pursue because it's time for Mike to put himself first,” Burney said.
Rich coming from someone who only puts himself first...
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