Port of Bremerton Board of Commissioners

The Port of Bremerton Board of Commissioners is comprised of three commissioners, elected from separate commissioner districts in the primary election, then at-large in the general election, each serving 6-year terms.

The port commission, like a city council or county commission, is a quasi-legislative body that establishes policies to guide the development, growth and operation of each port's facilities and functions to guide the port. Some of their policies or decisions might involve adopting plans, establishing positions and setting employment policies, buying or selling real estate and other property, setting rates, adopting budgets, and levying taxes. They also oversee the hiring of professional staff who administer established policies.

Port commissioners are accountable for their actions under many of the state's civil and criminal laws. They're also accountable to the people since they'll have to stand for election at the end of their term, and in extreme cases, can be recalled by the voters during their term.

Meet our Commissioners:

Roger Zabinksi
District 1: West Bremerton, portions of East Bremerton
Current Term: January 1, 2010-December 31, 2015

Phone: 360.204.0105

Roger Zabinski was elected Port of Bremerton Commissioner in 2009 for a six year term (2010-2015). His top priorities for the Port of Bremerton include: improving transparency with tax payers, insuring that port resources are managed in a financially sustainable way, and increasing quality economic development and job creation in our region. Prior to his election, Roger served on the Central Kitsap Community Council and various economic and environmental boards and served 14 years in the Air Force Reserves. Roger works as a biochemist in the pharmaceutical industry, where he has authored 14 scientific publications and contributed to 3 patents. He holds a BA in economics and chemistry and two masters’ degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. Roger brings project management and teaching experience to his role on the commission.

Larry Stokes
District 2: Downtown Port Orchard, portions of Eastern South Kitsap
Current Term: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2013
Phone: 360.710.2925

Larry Stokes was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1979, serving as a Commissioner until 1989. In 2008, Commissioner Stokes was reelected to the Port Board of Commissioners. Key priorities for Commissioner Stokes are to work to boost public outreach and increase the occupancy of the Port's marina and existing facilities to create new jobs and grow the revenue generated by Port businesses. Commissioner Stokes is a firm believer the taxpayers "Who are the owners of the Port of Bremerton" should get a reasonable and fair return on their investment. Larry is a 20 year Navy vet where he specialized in the medical aspects in deep sea diving. After retiring from the Navy he founded Stokes Auction Inc., a well-known Kitsap auction company. Stokes Auction Inc. is a third generation family business with a proud commitment to the community. It is now owned and operated by his daughter, a long time employee.

Bill Mahan
District 3: Portions of South Kitsap, Southwest Bremerton, Seabeck/Holly/Crosby
Current Term: January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2011
Phone: 360.876.6993

Bill Mahan was elected Commissioner for the Port of Bremerton in 2000. Commissioner Mahan has been an outspoken advocate for key Port investments to diversify the local economy, such as the expansion of the Bremerton marina and the Kitsap SEED project. Commissioner Mahan has a long history of serving the community in Kitsap. Prior to the Port, he was elected to serve for 20 years as a Kitsap County Commissioner. In addition to elected office, he also served as the Executive Director of the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District from 1989 through 1994, and was CEO and President of Paratransit Services for ten years prior to his retirement in 2005.