Trang Lam settles in as port’s chief

When asked by a reporter in August about the goals that she hopes to accomplish in her new role as Port of Camas-Washougal’s chief executive officer, Trang Lam chuckled and said, “Give me six months and I’ll let you know.”

A half-year later, Lam is settling well into her new position, her first in the public ports industry, thanks to her collaborative mindset and challenge-seeking leadership abilities.

“I’m more excited every day,” Lam said. “It’s been great. It’s awesome. I really enjoy it. And even when we (run into obstacles), I see that as a time for us to come together and problem-solve, and I get excited about that.”

Port commission president Larry Keister said Lam has done “incredibly well” so far.

“She has learned (about) the port business. She’s learned the importance of the relationship with the community, elected officials, her staff, and both cities,” he said. “She now understands our organization and our mission. She’s done a very good job of putting together our strategic plan that we’re just starting to work on. Her relationship with the commission is very strong. I believe that her knowledge and her experience is going to be a huge asset for the port, not only now but in the future.”

The port commission tabbed Lam, the city of Camas’ park director, to replace the retiring David Ripp as the port’s leader in June, selecting her over fellow finalists Chris Herman, the Washington Public Ports Association’s deputy director, and Guy Glenn, the finance director for the port of Columbia County in Oregon.

Keister put Glenn up for the position before voting to approve Lam’s subsequent nomination.

“The concern that I and the staff had was the (difference in) leadership style,” Keister said. “We were used to Dave — he was very comfortable to work with. Trang is also very comfortable to work with, but she’s a strong leader. (But) she seems to be becoming part of the team. We developed a ‘team’ concept years ago, and she’s using that to her benefit.”

Lam said she’s had “no complaints so far” from staff.

“We all have to learn what our habits are, how we work with each other,” she said. “It’s really good for me to hear from my staff. I’m actually very fortunate to start my tenure here with a strategic plan because the whole process allows me to be able to get to know my staff better.”

Keister said that he was also concerned with Lam’s lack of experience and connections in the port industry, but has been “impressed with (her ability to) establish some very strong relations and effective collaboration with the people that the port works with and the entities that the port is looking to build relationships with.”

Lam said that she’s benefitted from the port’s established relationships with the ports of Vancouver and Ridgefield, and is working to forge new partnerships with ports in the Columbia Gorge, such as Skamania, The Dalles, and Hood River.