Port Commissioners

The Port of Vancouver USA has a three-member Board of Commissioners that sets policy and direction, and approves all major expenditures. Their responsibilities include appointing major administrative staff, which are the executive director, the port auditor, and legal counsel. Commissioners are elected to six-year terms of office by the voters in the port districts. Port commission meetings are open to the public and are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 9:30 a.m., at the administrative office of the Port of Vancouver USA at 3103 Lower River Road, Vancouver, Washington.

 

Commissioner Jerry Oliver

Jerry Oliver
Commission President

Mr. Oliver was elected to the Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners in 2007 and is president of the board for 2010. Oliver was born and raised in Flint, Mich., and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan. His career includes 20 years selling medical products, and a seven-year stint in the financial brokerage business. Oliver also was self-employed for eight years, when he worked in mid-market mergers and acquisitions.

Oliver and his wife of 47 years, Joan, have two adult daughters and six grandchildren. He is an ardent hunter, fisher and backpacker and has been involved with the Audubon Society, Columbia Land Trust, Pheasants Forever, and in his church, where he has served in a variety of capacities over the years.

He is a strong proponent of limited taxation and sustainable economic development.

His current term expires December 31, 2013.

Comm. Brian WolfeBrian Wolfe
Commission Vice President

Brian Wolfe was elected to the Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners in 2005 and is vice president of the board for 2010. He will also serve on the executive committee of the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC). Mr. Wolfe operates his own legal practice in Vancouver and has more than 40 years experience as an attorney. He helped create the CREDC, and served as chairman of its board of directors from 1983-1994. He currently serves on the general advisory committee of the Clark County Skills Center and on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Washington Community Land Trust. He is also president of the Vancouver Dawn Lions Club, and has held leadership positions with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Clark County, the Clark County Social Services Administration, Identity Clark County and the Columbia River Education and Workforce Council (CREWC). He holds a B.S. from Whitworth University in Spokane and earned his doctor of jurisprudence degree from Willamette University in Salem.

His current term expires December 31, 2011.

Comm. Nancy Baker photo

Nancy I. Baker
Commission Secretary

After 14 years as a port employee, Commissioner Nancy Baker was elected as the first female commissioner in the Port of Vancouver’s nearly 97-year history. She is serving as the 2010 secretary of the commission. Elected in November 2003, Ms. Baker is a graduate of Hudson’s Bay High School, she attended Portland State University, and also attended classes at Clark College. In 1996, Ms. Baker was named one of Clark County’s Women of Achievement by Clark College and the YWCA. In 2006 Awarded Community Service Award by SW Washington Labor Roundtable and Central Labor Council.  2007 named by the Columbian Newspaper as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women of Clark County

Ms. Baker has been actively involved in:

  • Vice Chair - City of Vancouver International Affairs Commission
  • Joyo Japan Sister City Committee
  • International Discovery Walks - Core Committee
  • Citizens Advisory Board - The Columbian Newspaper
  • Board Member Partners In Careers
  • Public Member Dept. of Health Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
  • Member Labor Roundtable of SW Washington
  • Delegate Alternate – Associate of Pacific Ports
  • Trustee – Washington Public Ports Authority
  • Delegate Alternate - American Association of Port Authorities
  • Delegate – Regional Transportation Council
  • Delegate Alternate - Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

The mother of two and grandmother of four, Ms. Baker is married to Ray Barney. Prior to her work at the port, Baker spent 10 years in business management with a multi-million dollar retail store, as well as several years in the heavy, marine and building construction industry. Elected to second term as District 2 Port of Vancouver.  Her current term expires December 31, 2015.



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