Thank you for 16 memorable years!

Today is my last day at the Port and I would like to express my gratitude to all who have supported me and the Port of Toledo with its expansion. The many friendships and partnerships I had the privilege to develop over the past 16 years contributed to positive impacts on our community. The projects completed by the Port have only been made possible through unbelievable teamwork and the efforts of too many to name individually.

I particularly want to thank Ralph Criteser who donated the tugboat he built and used at Criteser’s Moorage, the REX, to be used by the Port of Toledo Shipyard. Ralph’s commitment to our region's commercial fishing fleet has made him a true legend, and we are honored by his gift. The Port celebrated the launching of the REX last week after completing a major overhaul at the shipyard. You can click on the following link to watch the REX being launched: https://youtu.be/6tS5O37Q9j4

Many thanks also to the volunteers of The Toledo Community Boathouse, coordinated by Joe Novello, who offer free family boating, boating education, and an opportunity to learn boatbuilding and maintenance. We look forward to adding boat tours on the Yaquina Queen to the list of free boathouse activities this summer. This program offers an amazing service to the community and would not be possible without the dedication of its volunteers.

Looking forward, the Port has many opportunities to continue to create new partnerships and grow. Lorna Davis will lead the Port as the new Port Manager. Lorna served as the Executive Director for the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2017, prior to which she served as the Chamber’s Tourism Development Director from 2005-2008. The Port also welcomes Jim Pinckney as Shipyard Manager. Jim comes to us with over 40 years of shipyard and ship building experience. The new managers are contributing to the Port’s Strategic Plan Update which is currently underway.

The Port is pleased to welcome Bay Area Enterprises as a new tenant in Port Station One. Bay Area Enterprises is a non-profit corporation that provides training and employment to people with disabilities for janitorial and contract work. We wish them well as they are setting up their new operations in Toledo.

The Shipyard will be opening its new Large Vessel Building within the next few months which will provide new options for vessel maintenance. The Port is also developing a plan to expand its industrial park to add additional units that will allow more businesses to locate in Toledo and the welding program to grow.

My sincere appreciation goes to the Port Commissioners for the cooperative support they have offered throughout the years and the outstanding staff that has been the driving force behind the vision.

Cheers,

Bud Shoemake