Your Port Commissioners

Dr. Kevin E. Ware : District 1

“Truly capable public leaders think and plan today for the public’s needs of tomorrow.”

Dr. Kevin Ware was elected to the Port of Skagit County in 2001 and lives just outside Mt. Vernon in Port District 1.

During his campaign Ware’s stated objectives were to manage the Port’s real estate assets in a more businesslike fashion; operate the Airport in a manner that maximized its value to the entire community; and to manage the Marina in a way that better met the needs of both present and future boaters. 

Over the past six years Ware has worked with commissioners Allen, Kaufman, Shuler and port staff to accomplish these goals.  He continues to view all port projects and operations with these goals in mind.

 Kevin Ware is Board Certified in Family Medicine and works part time as a Physician for The Everett Clinic.  He also works for the Holland America Line part time as a shipboard doctor.

Dr. Ware is a Commissioned Officer in the US Public Health Service, and has been in the Reserves since 1976.  His present rank is O-6 (Naval Captain).  In 2006 he completed the USPHS Disaster Response Advanced Officer Training Course.  During the Katrina Disaster he was deployed twice as an emergency room physician and shipboard medical director.

Ware is also a former professional pilot and flight instructor and still works from time to time in those capacities.  He also holds a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Master’s Certificate.  With his wife and other family members, he has been actively involved in the business of real estate construction and investment since 1980. 

His professional memberships and community activities have included:

• Current Medical Licenses: States of Washington, Oregon and Iowa
• Diplomat: American Board of Family Medicine
• Fellow: American Academy of Family Physicians
• Certified: Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advance Trauma Life Support
• Certified: (as instructor) Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics
• Member American College of Emergency Physicians (1977 - 1980)
• Snohomish Chapter AAFP.  Member and recent past president
• Washington State and American Academy of Family Physicians.  Member since 1977
• Snohomish County Medical Society, Member, Trustee, and former President 
• Washington State Medical Association.  Member since 1977
• USPHS Commission Officers Association, IRC Chapter President 2006
• Church Board Member and Missions Chairman 1980 ~ 1995

Kevin and his wife Kari have been married for over 40 years, have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren all living in Skagit County.  They enjoy boating, camping, flying to interesting places and spending time with family.

Steven Omdal : District 2

"I understand fully the importance of production and manufacturing jobs in this country."

Steven Omdal was elected as a Port of Skagit Commissioner representing District 2 for the term 2012 through 2017. His motivation for deciding to run for the commissioner position was to bring new ideas and a “for-profit” business background to enhance the ability of the port to improve job creation and economic development for all Skagit County residents.

Omdal’s business background is in sales and management: pharmaceutical (Wyeth-Ayerst / BASF) and logistics (FedEx). This will help him to offer insight and direction to the port staff on how best to support the tenants of the Bayview Business Park and their business goals. Additionally, he hopes to offer suggestions and additional views in regard to the La Conner Marina and the Skagit Regional Airport in maximizing efficiencies while providing excellent service to users of those facilities.

“As one of the three commissioners, I look forward to cooperating with the surrounding cities in advancing a crucial Port of Skagit goal, community jobs that complement the lifestyle of Skagit County,” Omdal said. “I am a lifelong Skagit County resident raised on a dairy and crop farm in Bow, so I understand fully the importance of production and manufacturing jobs in this country. I am honored to serve all the citizens of Skagit County as your Port of Skagit commissioner.”

The District 2 commissioner is a graduate of Burlington-Edison High School and holds an Associate of Arts degree from Skagit Valley College plus a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University with a Washington State Elementary Teaching Certificate.

Community Involvement:

• Burlington-Edison Kiwanis - Past President / Board of Directors
• PNW Kiwanis Division 20M Lt Governor
• B-E Kiwanis / BEHS Key Club Liaison
• Fire District 6 Commissioner (Bayridge Fire Station)
• Skagit Community Action Volunteer (Literacy Program)
• AVID Volunteer / BESD Allen Elementary(Advancement Via Individual Determination)
• Junior Achievement Volunteer (MVSD Mt Baker Middle School)

William Shuler : District 3

"A strong economic base with sustainable living wage jobs is the foundation of a healthy community."

Bill Shuler decided to run for Port of Skagit Commissioner in 2009 largely because of its primary goal: “Jobs for Our Community.” Shuler, who lives in Sedro-Woolley, has an unabridged love for Skagit County and says he will work hard to preserve its values.

He is highly interested in economic development, believing a strong economic base with sustainable living wage jobs is the foundation of a healthy community. This begins with a robust, active port. Shuler is totally committed to the well-being of the citizens of Skagit County and will energetically put his broad experience, knowledge, and skills toward making the Port of Skagit even stronger.

Shuler has a wealth of experience in both private and public management, including 27 years as executive director of the Skagit County Community Action Agency, a large nonprofit corporation. He has held management positions with Skagit Valley College and Washington State Office of Community Development. He also worked as an associate planner with Skagit County Planning Department, where he developed and authored the county’s initial overall economic development plan, among many other projects.

Shuler has provided leadership in the following organizations:

• Nine years on the Sedro-Woolley City Council
• Five years on the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Eight years on the United Way of Skagit County Board (one year as campaign co-chair)
• Four years as chairman of the State Community Action Association legislative committee
• Appointed by the Skagit County Commissioners as the first chair of the Housing Authority of Skagit County

With a reputation for being involved in the community and well informed, Shuler is a member or former member of the following organizations:

• Economic Development Association of Skagit County
• Northwest Workforce Development Council
• United Way of Skagit County
• Skagit Community Foundation
• Sedro-Woolley Rotary
• Sedro-Woolley Eagles
• Cascades Job Corps Community Relations Council
• Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce

Shuler’s family moved from North Carolina to Skagit County when he was a child and, for the most part, he has lived here ever since. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School, Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University and the University of Washington, holding an MPA degree. He and his wife Nora have two children, Jason and Lee Ellen, and two granddaughters, Madellen and Kathryn.