Two vie for Camas-Washougal port seat, District 1

The Port of Camas-Washougal’s District 1 commissioner position will be filled by a newcomer for the first time in 10 years. Brad Richardson, the executive director of the Clark County Historical Museum, and Dave St. Clair, a retired technology executive, are vying for the position in the Nov. 4 election. John Spencer has held the position since 2015. Richardson, an east Clark County native, joined the Clark County Historical Museum in 2010 and has been serving in his current role since 2017. He has served as a volunteer for a variety of organizations, including the Vancouver Rotary Club, the Washington Museum Association, Humanities Washington and the Vancouver Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission. “I bring a proven track record of leadership across both nonprofit and business sectors,” he said. “My work as executive director has required skills in financial management, strategic planning, public engagement and partnership building. I have successfully connected government agencies, private businesses and community organizations to deliver projects that benefit the public. In my professional role and through my board service, I have also worked directly with local and state governments to bring results back to Southwest Washington.” Richardson said that he’s running for the port position to shepherd balanced growth that reflects the needs and values of east Clark County, as well as to create family-wage jobs. “My goal is to see future growth that creates opportunity, honors our heritage, and strengthens community assets like the industrial park, the marina, Grove Field, and our waterfront,” Richardson said. “This is about building a sustainable future while protecting the values and history that make Camas-Washougal unique.” St. Clair moved from Texas to east Clark County after retiring in 2020. He worked for Deloitte, a London-based global professional services firm, in several roles, including managing director, for more than 21 years. He has served as a volunteer with Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that provides trained service and facility dogs to people with disabilities, and Empty Bowls Camas, an annual event that raises money to combat hunger in east Clark County. “The port is one of east county’s most important economic engines, and I believe we need commissioners who plan for the future as well as the present,” he said. “I’m running to ensure the port delivers on its mission — creating local jobs, expanding public access to the waterfront, and strengthening our marina and airport.” St. Clair said in the Clark County voters’ pamphlet that he will focus on improving Grove Field and Parker’s Landing Marina in close collaboration with the community, driving long-term job creation across all port sectors; ensuring the successful implementation of the port’s 2025 strategic plan; and building strong partnerships with local businesses and agencies. “I know how to turn vision into results,” he said. “My career has been built on delivering complex projects on time and on budget, and I bring financial expertise and strong planning skills directly applicable to port leadership. I’ve worked across diverse groups — from executives and regulators to community members — to build consensus and get things done.” The port operates an airport (Grove Field in Camas), a marina (Parker’s Landing Marina in Washougal) and an industrial center (Steigerwald Commerce Center in Washougal), and is moving ahead with its Hyas Point waterfront development project, which broke ground in the fall of 2024. Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com

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