Port of Coupeville Director to Retire, Community Prepares Transition

Chris Michalopoulos, who has served as director of the Port of Coupeville for roughly eight and a half years, informed the port and community that he will retire in the spring. Michalopoulos's tenure has been marked by a focus on historic restoration projects and a range of port initiatives aimed at preserving waterfront assets and supporting local maritime activity. The announcement brings attention to the immediate question of how the port will manage leadership change while maintaining momentum on projects residents care about.

Under Michalopoulos the port advanced multiple restoration and repair efforts. Those projects, described by port officials, attracted attention from preservation advocates and users of the waterfront whose livelihoods and recreational activities depend on safe, accessible harbor infrastructure. The port has also pursued other initiatives intended to sustain economic and cultural uses of the waterfront and to protect assets that are important to Island County residents and visitors.

With the retirement date set for the spring, the port commission and staff are preparing a transition process that includes public meetings and continued planning for scheduled work. The goal expressed by port leadership is to ensure that restoration schedules, maintenance plans and community engagement do not stall during the change in management. For residents who use the marina, depend on moorage and rely on the waterfront for business, continuity of those services will be a central concern in the months ahead.

Community involvement will play a significant role as the port moves forward. Public meetings are planned to update stakeholders on project timelines and to solicit input on priorities during the leadership transition. Those sessions will provide opportunities for residents to hear about funding, permitting and construction plans, and to raise concerns about timing and access. The port commission will also need to weigh options for interim oversight and the search for a permanent replacement, balancing institutional knowledge with the skills required to shepherd complex restoration work.

The timing of Michalopoulos's retirement arrives as several repair and preservation tasks remain on the port agenda. These efforts intersect with broader county interests in historic preservation, shoreline management and the economic vitality of waterfront communities. How the port commissions and staff handle recruitment and project oversight during the transition will affect not only construction schedules but also public confidence in stewardship of the waterfront.

This report first ran in the Nov. 14 edition of the South Whidbey Record. As the spring retirement approaches, Island County residents can expect more detailed schedules and opportunities for engagement from port officials as they navigate the next chapter for the Port of Coupeville.