The Benton Harbor Commission chose Christy Rasmussen, former headmistress of Christ the King School and current Hanford employee, to fill the vacant board seat when Robert Larson retired in October with two years remaining at to run.

Rasmussen was one of four candidates interviewed in a special committee session on November 29. She was the unanimous choice after a 40-minute executive session, held behind closed doors. Commissioners Roy Keck and Jane Hagarty voted unanimously to appoint her until the next election in 2022.

The board also interviewed former executive director Scott Keller as well as Justin Raffa and Obie Amacker.

Hagarty, who is ending his term on the board after losing his candidacy for re-election in November, announced the move. She said Rasmussen brought the right combination of community leadership and commitment to pursuing the port’s economic and employment mission.

Rasmussen will take office immediately and indicated in her interview that she will be participating in the Washington Public Ports Association’s training this week for new board members.

Rasmussen is a training specialist for Central Plateau Cleanup Co. at the Hanford site and is a former educator.

Her resume includes roles as Workplace Campaign Manager for United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, Principal of Christ the King Catholic School in Richland, and leadership positions in Pasco and School Districts. Richland.

She is the new president of Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary, where she served on the board of directors and was community president for seven years. She has experience with Perfect Image Leadership, Vista Youth Center, My Friends Place and Rural Families Farm Workers.

Rasmussen and her husband have a blended family of five grown children and seven grandchildren. All of them reside in the Tri-Cities, she said in her request.

She received a bachelor’s degree in office administration from Central Washington University, a bachelor’s‘s in Education from Eastern Washington University and a Masters in Educational Administration from Heritage University.

She will be one of the two newcomers to the board.

Lori Stevens, co-owner of Airfield Estates Winery in Prosser, will take office in January after beating Hagarty.

Rasmussen’s seat will be open for election in November 2022 to complete the initial six-year term. Candidates submit their candidacy in May for the electoral cycle of the year. The seat will be re-eligible in 2023 for a new six-year term.

Harbor commissioners are paid $ 1,500 per month and allowances to attend the meeting. They have health insurance and other benefits.