• Port of Skagit Mourns Sudden Death of Commissioner Steve Omdal

(Burlington, WA). It is with deep regret that the Port of Skagit announces the sudden passing of longtime Port Commissioner Steve Omdal on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Omdal was first elected as a Port of Skagit Commissioner representing District 2 in 2012. His motivation for seeking the Commissioner position was to bring new ideas and a “for profit” business background to enhance the ability of the Port to improve economic development opportunities for all Skagit County residents.
Omdal’s business background was in sales and management with pharmaceutical companies Wyeth-Ayerst and BASF, and later on with FedEx Services. His sales career began in the mid-1970’s with Western Farmers Association, a nod to his roots growing up on a dairy and crop farm in nearby Bow, Washington. His experience on the farm helped Omdal embrace and understand the importance of value-added agriculture in our community today, and the required infrastructure for production, manufacturing, and marketing for the industry. As a lifelong Skagitonian, his passion for agriculture, the preservation of farmland, and creating opportunities for Skagit growers and producers was widely known.
His focus as Port Commissioner was on jobs creation, particularly in the manufacturing sector, as well as growth in the value-added agriculture sector. His collaborative style included a desire to learn and a willingness to brainstorm, "think outside the box," and not be afraid of new ideas or opportunities that may arise in a constantly changing environment. During his time on the Commission, Omdal was involved with several significant projects and initiatives that advanced the Port’s mission, including the acquisition of the former Northern State Hospital property from the State of Washington, the purchase of 123 acres for Watershed Business Park for expansion of the value-added agriculture sector, and the completion of fiber optic network infrastructure that brought broadband access to eastern Skagit County.
In addition to his career and Port work, Omdal was dedicated to his community and actively involved in several groups and initiatives. He served on Skagit County’s Agricultural Advisory Board, the Executive Committee of Washington Public Ports Association, Skagit Council of Governments, the Genuine Skagit Valley Advisory Committee, and Home Trust of Skagit. Prior to being elected to the Port of Skagit Commission, he was elected as Skagit County Fire District 6 Commissioner, serving from 2008 to 2012. His longest tenured volunteer role, and arguably one of his greatest community commitments, was to the B-E Kiwanis Club. Since 1988, Omdal had been a proud Kiwanian, serving both his local community and in a leadership role as a Division Lt. Governor.
Plans to honor Omdal’s service to the Port of Skagit and the greater Skagit Valley community will be announced at a later date. The Port is required to appoint a new commissioner to replace Omdal within 90 days following his death. Next steps for the selection process will be discussed at a Special Meeting of the Port Commission at 11am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.