Your Port Commissioners

Dr. Kevin E. Ware : District 1

“Truly capable public leaders think and plan today for the public’s needs of tomorrow.”

Dr. Kevin Ware was elected to the Port of Skagit County in 2001 and lives just outside Mt. Vernon in Port District 1.

During his campaign Ware’s stated objectives were to manage the Port’s real estate assets in a more businesslike fashion; operate the Airport in a manner that maximized its value to the entire community; and to manage the Marina in a way that better met the needs of both present and future boaters. 

Over the past six years Ware has worked with commissioners Allen, Kaufman and port staff to accomplish these goals.  He continues to view all port projects and operations with these goals in mind.

 Kevin Ware is Board Certified in Family Medicine and works part time as a Physician for The Everett Clinic.  He also works for the Holland America Line part time as a shipboard doctor.

Dr. Ware is a Commissioned Officer in the US Public Health Service, and has been in the Reserves since 1976.  His present rank is O-6 (Naval Captain).  In 2006 he completed the USPHS Disaster Response Advanced Officer Training Course.  During the Katrina Disaster he was deployed twice as an emergency room physician and shipboard medical director.

Ware is also a former professional pilot and flight instructor and still works from time to time in those capacities.  He also holds a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Master’s Certificate.  With his wife and other family members, he has been actively involved in the business of real estate construction and investment since 1980. 

His professional memberships and community activities have included:

• Current Medical Licenses: States of Washington, Oregon and Iowa
• Diplomat: American Board of Family Medicine
• Fellow: American Academy of Family Physicians
• Certified: Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advance Trauma Life Support
• Certified: (as instructor) Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics
• Member American College of Emergency Physicians (1977 - 1980)
• Snohomish Chapter AAFP.  Member and recent past president
• Washington State and American Academy of Family Physicians.  Member since 1977
• Snohomish County Medical Society, Member, Trustee, and former President 
• Washington State Medical Association.  Member since 1977
• USPHS Commission Officers Association, IRC Chapter President 2006
• Church Board Member and Missions Chairman 1980 ~ 1995

Kevin and his wife Kari have been married for over 40 years, have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren all living in Skagit County.  They enjoy boating, camping, flying to interesting places and spending time with family.

Jerry Kaufman : District 2

“I used to say I’m doing it for my kids, now I want to ensure living wage jobs for my grandkids.”

Jerry Kaufman took office at the Port of Skagit County in January of 2000. Kaufman lives in Port District 2.  Prior to his service on the Port of Skagit County commission, he worked for 35 years for Puget Sound Energy; his last 25 years as manager of the Skagit office.  Jerry’s management principle No. 1 was “fun.”  “People that are having a good time are more interested in their jobs and more creative.”  He brings this same spirit of enthusiasm to his role as a port commissioner.

Jerry believes strongly in individuals becoming involved in community leadership and his primary emphasis as a Port Commissioner includes economic development activities for the creation of jobs and the lowering of property taxes. 

Kaufman has long been a community leader and has served as president or chair of the following organizations:

• EDASC
• Skagit Community Action Agency (one of the founding fathers)
• United Way of Skagit County
• Skagit County Loan Committee
• Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce
• Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (one of the founding fathers)
• Private Industry Council
• Mount Vernon Rotary
• Skagit County Day of Caring
• Youth Soccer League (original member)
• Skagit County Fairgrounds Board

Born in Bellingham, WA, his family remained in the Bellingham area until the completion of his 9th grade year.  They relocated to Langley, WA where he graduated from Langley High School (now South Whidbey).  He attended Western Washington University until he began working for Puget Sound Energy.

Jerry’s hobbies consist of travel, dancing and exercise.  He has 3 grown children and six grandchildren.

William Shuler : District 3

"A strong economic base with sustainable living wage jobs is the foundation of a healthy community."

Bill Shuler decided to run for Port of Skagit Commissioner in 2009 largely because of its primary goal: “Jobs for Our Community.” Shuler, who lives in Sedro-Woolley, has an unabridged love for Skagit County and says he will work hard to preserve its values.

He is highly interested in economic development, believing a strong economic base with sustainable living wage jobs is the foundation of a healthy community. This begins with a robust, active port. Shuler is totally committed to the well-being of the citizens of Skagit County and will energetically put his broad experience, knowledge, and skills toward making the Port of Skagit even stronger.

Shuler has a wealth of experience in both private and public management, including 27 years as executive director of the Skagit County Community Action Agency, a large nonprofit corporation. He has held management positions with Skagit Valley College and Washington State Office of Community Development. He also worked as an associate planner with Skagit County Planning Department, where he developed and authored the county’s initial overall economic development plan, among many other projects.

Shuler has provided leadership in the following organizations:

• Nine years on the Sedro-Woolley City Council
• Five years on the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Eight years on the United Way of Skagit County Board (one year as campaign co-chair)
• Four years as chairman of the State Community Action Association legislative committee
• Appointed by the Skagit County Commissioners as the first chair of the Housing Authority of Skagit County

With a reputation for being involved in the community and well informed, Shuler is a member or former member of the following organizations:

• Economic Development Association of Skagit County
• Northwest Workforce Development Council
• United Way of Skagit County
• Skagit Community Foundation
• Sedro-Woolley Rotary
• Sedro-Woolley Eagles
• Cascades Job Corps Community Relations Council
• Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce

Shuler’s family moved from North Carolina to Skagit County when he was a child and, for the most part, he has lived here ever since. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School, Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University and the University of Washington, holding an MPA degree. He and his wife Nora have two children, Jason and Lee Ellen, and two granddaughters, Madellen and Kathryn.