David Hanson plans to retire from the Port of Kennewick commission later this year.
He made the announcement Tuesday while port commissioners selected the commission president and officers for the next two years.
Hanson, the commission's vice president, told the Herald that he is ready for something new after serving 10 years as port commissioner.
He first was appointed to serve as commissioner for District 1 in 2002 after Sue Frost resigned. Hanson's current six-year term started in 2010.
Hanson said his retirement has nothing to do with the internal investigation last year into alleged errors in expense reimbursements.
Two law firms and an auditor from Seattle identified $1,171 in questionable reimbursements to Hanson for travel expenses. Hanson refunded the amount and told the Herald that errors were made "on both sides."
The port's cost for the internal investigation was $68,620.
Hanson has been a champion for port plans at Clover Island and Vista Field, said Tim Arntzen, the port's executive director.
"Ten years is quite a run," Arntzen said. "There has been a lot accomplished in his watch."
Arntzen said he would expect Hanson would want to postpone retirement until some of the business at Vista Field has been finished, including finalizing a contract with Mike Shannon, owner of Kennewick's Shannon Dental, for the airport's fixed-based operator.
Hanson said he is proud of the improvements he helped make on Clover Island during his tenure.
Projects completed on the island include adding the arched gateway, the lighthouse, a 10,000-square-foot public plaza, a boardwalk and the port's new administration offices and retail building.
Hanson retired in 2000 after 32 years as an engineer with Benton PUD and served on the Washington State Electrical Board, which revises state laws on electrical transmission.
He owns a lobbying firm, Hanson Consulting Services, and has done work for Benton PUD, Chelan PUD and Washington Public Utility Districts Association.
Hanson said he plans to continue consultant work after retiring as commissioner.
Hanson said he plans to work with port staff on the transition and has not set a final date yet.
"But my wife is sure looking at cruises," he told the other commissioners.
-- Kristi Pihl: 582-1512; kpihl@tricityherald.com
