Past Leadership

Lon Johnson
(unknown)

Served:
January 1988 – December 1993 (elected)

Before serving as a commissioner, Lon was a ranch manager for Ptarmigan Ranch, co-founded Sisyphus Construction, was a production manager for Celestial Seasonings, and started Trout Lake Farms. During his time with the Port, Lon launched Flora Laboratories, served as a member of the Trout Lake Community Council, co-founded Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, and continued his work with Trout Lake Farms. He went on to found Klickitat Organics and Biorice and serve as a board member of the American Herbal Products Association.

During his tenure, dredge spoils from construction of the second navigation lock at Bonneville Dam were secured and placed at Bingen Point, the S.J. Groves ceased operations at Dallesport, Bingen Point was considered for the Klickitat Point Lodge, Conference, and Trade center before losing out to Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Columbia Ship Builders launched the completed 'Ferrar Sea' at Dallesport, the Recycled Aluminum Metals Company (RAMCo) began disposing of saltcake near the eastern boundary of the Dallesport Industrial Park before ceasing operations, a used gantry crane from the Port of Vancouver was acquired and installed at Dallesport, plans were started for the Port's first building at Bingen Point, 8.5 acres were sold in Dallesport, the rail spur for Dow Chemical was extended to the Empire Gas site, the log yard at Dallesport began operation, and all debts of the terminated Dow Chemical project were retired.

(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Mike Mansfield
Husum, Washington

Served:
September 1980 – November 1981 (appointed)
November 1981 – December 1987 (elected)

Before serving as a commissioner, Mike served in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and worked for several years at his father's store, Hiway Hardware, before becoming an electrician's apprentice at SDS Lumber (a position he held during his time with the Port). He also served as Rotary President and Bingen Fire Chief. He passed away in October 1992 at age 54.

During his tenure, a 50,000 s.f. facility was completed for lease to the Recycled Aluminum Metals Company (aka RAMCo), the Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for the construction of the barge dock at Dallesport, the grade-separated rail crossing at Dallesport was completed, the Energy Foundation company began production of alcohol at Dallesport, the first computer and printer were acquired, the first "Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan" for Bingen Point was adopted, Riley Bros. Concrete began mining aggregate at Dallesport, and plans were established for beach access at Bingen Point.

(obituary: Mike Mansfield, The Enterprise 10-8-1992, pg 16)
(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Fred Holly
(unknown)

Served:
July 1978 – September 1980 (appointed)

Before serving as a commissioner, Fred served as Director of Glenwood Schools for two terms, as a Klickitat County Commissioner from 1971 until 1977, and as Chairperson of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD). He remained a member of MCEDD through his term of office. Fred was a self-employed rancher before, during, and after serving the Port.

During his tenure, the mining and selling of aggregate at Dallesport began, the bid for construction of the Recycled Aluminum Metals Company (RAMCo) building (at 102 Kreps Dr.) was awarded, restrictions and covenants were adopted for development at Dallesport, and plans for the barge dock and railroad overpass were started. After leaving the Port, Fred went on to run for Klickitat County Commissioner.

(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Albin I. Berglund
(unknown)

Served:
June 1974 – June 1978 (appointed)

(obituary: Albin I. Berglund, The Enterprise 8-10-1989, pg 14) (if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Oliver P. ("Ollie") Kreps Jr.
Laurel, Washington

Served:
January 1957 – December 1960 (elected)
January 1961 – December 1964 (elected)
January 1965 – December 1973 (elected)
February 1974 – June 1974 (appointed)

Mr. Kreps served in the U.S. Army at Fort Warden, Washington, during World War I and spent the remainder of his life, including his years serving the Port, running the OK Ranch started by his father. He served on the Board of Directors for the Washington Cattlemen's Association (WCA) as was named WCA Rangeman of the Year in 1957. Ollie resigned from the Port Commission due to illness and passed away in August 1974 at age 80.

During his tenure, the Bingen East properties were acquired (forming the present Bingen Point Business Park), the Army Corps of Engineers dredged a "barge channel" and "turning basin" at Bingen East (now known as Bingen Harbor), the Bingen West properties sustained major flood damage and were sold to SDS Lumber Co., Dallesport Industrial Park (DIP) properties were acquired from the Army Corps of Engineers and the park's first water system, rail spur, and roads were built, construction of Marina Park began, Dow Chemical abandoned its development at Dallesport, the 101 Parallel building was constructed and leased to The Dalles Cherry Growers, the DIP water reservoir was built, and Bingen Point property was sold for construction of the first Bingen wastewater treatment facility.

(obituary: Oliver Peter Kreps Jr., The Enterprise 8-15-1974, pg 1)

A. C. McCormick
White Salmon, Washington

Served:
January 1953 – December 1956 (elected)

Before coming to the Port, Andrew served in the U.S. Army during World War I and spent the remainder of his life, including his years serving the Port, as an orchardist. He was appointed to the Port Commission to fill the spot vacated by Joe Crowe. He died in an automobile accident in September 1982 at age 90.

During his tenure, the first barge channel was dredged at, and additional property acquired in, the Bingen West area (owned by SDS Lumber in 2010), a substantial update of the Port's Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvement (targeting the "Bingen East" properties now owned by the Port) was completed, and the Port joined the newly created Columbia River Development Association.

(obituary: Andrew C. McCormick, The Enterprise 9-9-1982, pg 9)
(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Joe Crowe
White Salmon, Washington

Served:
January 1951 – December 1952 (elected)

Mr. Crowe began his career as a logger and spent much of his life, including his years serving the Port, running his own logging operation. Joe resigned his position as a port commissioner to become a Klickitat County Commissioner, a seat he held for six years. He passed away in August 1989 at age 90.

During his tenure the Port established the position of Port Manager, the first Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements was adopted, and additional properties in the "Bingen West" area were acquired.

(obituary: Joe Crowe, The Enterprise 8-10-1989, pg 14)
(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)

Oscar F. Wallace
(unknown)

Served:
January 1949 – December 1950 (elected)

Before coming to the Port, Oscar served in the Air Corps during World War II and then worked as a heavy equipment operator for his father's logging company, a period of time which included the years he served the Port. He went on to found a logging and construction company in The Dalles with his brother and later became a timber manager for Stebinger Lumber Co. in Roseburg, Oregon, before returning to the area to open "Oscar's", a restaurant in White Salmon. He passed away in April 1993 at age 72.

No significant events occurred during his tenure.

(obituary: Oscar F. Wallace, The Enterprise 4-22-1993, pg 16)

Steve F. Wnuk
(unknown)

Served:
January 1945 – December 1948 (elected)

Before coming to the Port, Steve served as a Klickitat county commissioner and as chair of the board of commissioners.

During his tenure, the building in which the Port Office was located was destroyed by fire, property was acquired in an area known as "Bingen West" (generally the SDS Lumber property and parts west of Jewett Creek as of 2014), and the first interest in a port facility at Dallesport (then called North Dalles) was expressed.

(obituary: Stephen Frank Wnuk, The Enterprise 12-10-1964, pg 5)
(if you have additional information on this person, please contact us)