Jim Pivarnik left a high-pressure career in Hawaii for a quieter life in Washington state, eventually finding himself leading the Port of South Whidbey. After serving as a port director for Port Townsend and Kingston for more than two decades, he was invited out of retirement by local commissioners last year. Although he did not initially seek the position, Pivarnik has embraced the role with enthusiasm, noting that he is still alive and well thirteen months into the job.
The port serves a variety of community functions, including multiple boat launches, waterfront parks, a marina in Langley, and the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds. Managing these diverse interests requires balancing the needs of different groups while managing limited resources. Pivarnik values the public interaction involved in the role, stating that he wants to listen to residents' concerns and find common ground. This approach is particularly important on South Whidbey, where the port's mission is to enhance economic well-being and improve public access to marine areas while respecting the island's rural character.
The inclusion of the fairgrounds in the port's responsibilities has been a point of discussion. In 2016, voters approved a property tax increase that allowed the port to take over the facility from Island County. While some residents prefer the port focus solely on boat launches and marinas, Pivarnik believes the fairgrounds are a perfect fit for the organization's goals. He acknowledges that the port receives criticism on social media but invites detractors to discuss issues in person, a challenge that has yet to be taken up.
Maintaining the ninety-year-old buildings at the fairgrounds presents ongoing challenges. The port must keep the infrastructure viable year-round to support the summer fair, which is organized by the independent Whidbey Island Fair Association. To ensure the fair continues as a community mainstay, current tenants have agreed to vacate the buildings in July. This arrangement allows the port to generate rental income, which helps maintain the grounds and comply with county stipulations.
Mayor Kennedy Horstmann of Langley has praised Pivarnik's leadership, describing him as grounded and approachable. She notes that his sensitivity to the history of the region is a good fit for the port, which operates two key facilities in Langley: the marina and the fairgrounds. The marina project, which began when the port district was formed in 1961, faced delays before a forty-slip transient moorage was completed in the 1980s. Pivarnik explains that state and federal grants stipulate the facility remain transient-only, a rule that frustrates some locals who want permanent slips.
The port is also looking to expand its economic impact through new initiatives. Last summer, a trial passenger ferry service called the Harbor Hopper operated between Langley and Everett. The service was a partnership between the ports of Everett and South Whidbey. Pivarnik hopes to bring the service back in 2027, noting that local business owners appreciated the increase in sales. However, the port is still analyzing survey data and seeking sponsors to help cover the high fuel costs, which are currently around one thousand dollars for a round trip.
Infrastructure maintenance remains a significant task due to the dynamic environment of the Salish Sea. Strong currents and winds frequently cause storm damage and shifting sand at the port's three main boat ramps. Pivarnik, who is an avid boater, understands the frustration this causes for residents. Port staff work to clear the ramps, but sand can accumulate quickly, sometimes requiring multiple cleanings in a single day.
Pivarnik credits his team, including the harbormaster and operations manager, for helping him succeed in his role. He also praises the local community leaders for their professionalism and openness. Now past the age of seventy, Pivarnik plans to serve as long as the commission needs him. His goal is to make the transition easy for his successor, hoping to find a local candidate who is smart, energetic, and ready to take on the daily challenges of the job.
