Port of C-W Commissioner Cassi Marshall will run for reelection

Marshall, who was elected to the Port Commission in 2019, says she has ‘more to offer this time around’

By Doug Flanagan

Post-Record staff writer

Cassi Marshall has declared that she will seek reelection to her Port of Camas-Washougal commissioner position later this year.

Marshall, who joined the Commission in 2019 after narrowly defeating incumbent Bill Ward in a general election, announced her decision in a Facebook post on Friday, April 21. Her first term is set to expire at the end of 2023.

“Our Port has accomplished great things over the past few years, like the opening of 50,000 square feet of brand new job space just this month,” she wrote. “There are more amazing opportunities for East County coming up, and I’d be honored to contribute to the Port’s valuable work in our region for another four years.”

Marshall told the Post-Record that she feels that she “has more to offer this time around.”

“I’ve learned so much over the past four years about how ports operate and how they contribute to our communities,” she said. “Our Port plays a critical role in jobs creation, recreation and future development. Starting out, I knew these were huge positives for our community, but the deeper I understand these impacts, the more I appreciate the Port’s work. We create quality space for thriving businesses and local jobs, focus on efficient and sustainable operations, and provide outstanding recreation opportunities. I’d like to contribute to all of that for another term.

Marshall said her first term has been positive “in spite of COVID and supply chain bumps.”

“I think that the Port is doing very well,” she said. “A lot of the groundwork for recent successes was laid by previous commissions and staff, but I will say that we currently have an incredibly collaborative and creative team with the skill sets and desire to make a positive difference in Camas and Washougal. As an organization, we are extremely careful with the community’s resources, and we strive to take full advantage of opportunities as they arise. I think the potential for future project assistance through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, as well as state grants, might be greater than what we’ve seen in the past, and we’ll be looking to bring some of that funding to our region to support jobs creation, recreation and more. I think our organization has grown and learned a great deal in the past few years. I know I have.”

Marshall, a Clark County native, brings a background in engineering, small business ownership and school district relations to the Port. She earned her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and worked as a structural dynamics engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, before moving to Camas and transitioning to the education field.

Marshall is the co-owner of Marshall Development, a local residential development business, with her husband, Rick, and previously worked for the Washougal School District (WSD) for 17 years as a coordinator for the district’s highly capable students and as an administrative assistant.

“I also realized during my first term that my pre-Port jobs and experiences — engineering, education, construction, parks volunteer and parent — have given me a solid background that fits nicely with the Port’s work and mission,” she said.

Marshall said that she’s looking forward to assisting in the Port’s long-range planning for the undeveloped areas of the Steigerwald Commerce Center if reelected.

“Building 20 was just opened, so it’s time to look at what’s next,” she said. “Access to additional lots will be opened through the new road planned for construction next year. Considering the existing and new buildings at this site, and this area’s proximity to Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge and the levy trail, there is tremendous opportunity for diverse industrial, commercial and retail uses — and the jobs they bring — at this location. Bringing the community, staff and the Commission together to start this effort will be exciting.”

Marshall would also look to increase aviation-related commerce through “thoughtful planning” at Grove Field.

“Our airport has much potential,” she added. “There are so many considerations for the Port in helping to create and maintain liveable, prosperous and sustainable communities. I’d like to see us ready to contribute whenever possible to the redevelopment of commercial and industrial properties in Camas and Washougal, leveraging the Port’s expertise in clean-up and planning.

“I also think we should explore potential involvement in things that make life better for our local workforce — child care near work centers; better bike and pedestrian connectivity between our cities, workplaces and residential areas; more affordable workforce housing; internships and student programs; and cleaner, more efficient construction in all our projects. We’ve been actively working toward expanding broadband in our region, and as we’ve learned recently, that has become essential for productivity and quality of life. I’m hoping we can partner with the county and other organizations to make high-speed internet access more widely available.”

Marshall has also advocated for the Port to become more environmentally conscious during her tenure, and drew praise for her role in helping the agency to establish an agreement with Clark Public Utilities that will construct a 799-kilowatt solar system at five of the buildings at the Port’s industrial park.

“I’d like to see us continue to be leaders in industry energy efficiency and sustainability efforts,” she said. “We’re definitely doing great work in this area, but as technologies advance, there will be room to grow.”