Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom to resign next month to pursue "new professional opportunity"

May 20-Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom will resign from his position on the port commission effective Tuesday, June 12.

In the final moments of the Wednesday afternoon Port of Centralia Centralia Commission meeting, Markstrom announced that he would resign from his position with the port.

During an emotional statement, Markstrom said he came to the difficult decision after he and his wife decided to leave Centralia for a "new professional opportunity."

During the statement, Markstrom read directly from a written statement prepared ahead of time and posted to the Port of Centralia Facebook page almost simultaneously. The statement is dated Wednesday, May 20.

"We are choosing a path that better fits the values, lifestyle and direction we want for our family, and we are doing so with confidence, gratitude and peace about what comes next," Markstrom said.

Markstrom declined to provide additional details about the relocation or "new professional opportunity."

Markstrom went on in his statement to thank supporters and constituents who voted for him to retain the port commission seat he was appointed to in 2021. He also touted many of the port's recent accomplishments and ongoing projects and referred to the port as "the No. 1 economic driver in Centralia."

Among the port projects, he mentioned industrial development in the Fords Prairie area, a new warehouse being constructed by Logistics Property Company and the ongoing development in Port of Centralia Park 3, more commonly known as Centralia Station.

"These efforts represent exactly the kind of long-term economic development the port was created to support," Markstrom said. "Hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, a stronger local tax base, major infrastructure improvements, new opportunities for retail growth, and, most importantly, jobs that can support Centralia families for generations to come."

The statement briefly alluded to disagreements in the direction of the port, but concluded thanking port staff, fellow commissioners, partners, business leaders and local residents.

"Public service comes with challenges, but it also comes with moments of real purpose, and I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve," Markstrom said.

After completing his statement, Markstrom briefly apologized for being emotional after pausing off and on during the statement and emphasized the importance of Centralia in the life of his family.

Markstrom gave his statement as the final commissioner report of the meeting.

Commissioner Ally Pickard motioned to adjourn the meeting promptly after Markstrom completed his statement.

In addition to his role on the port commission, Markstrom will leave behind his job as the City of Centralia parks and buildings operations manager.

According to his biography on the Port of Centralia website, Markstrom is a lifelong Centralian and Centralia High School graduate. He was originally appointed to his seat on the port commission by the Lewis County Board of Commissioners in 2020 following the resignation of former Port Commissioner Dan Keahey.

According to previous reporting by The Chronicle, the port commissioners at the time, Peter Lahmann and Julie Shaffley, were unable to agree on a new member to appoint, leading to the right of appointment falling to the county commissioners.

Markstrom served the rest of the term on the port commission after his appointment in November of 2020. A year later, he won election to the seat over opponent Paul Crowner. He won with 60.28% of the vote.

To read Markstrom's statement of resignation, visit https://tinyurl.com/4nusu4s9.

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