In 1978, “Grease,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” were showing in movie theaters around the world. The average cost of a new home was about $55,000 and a gallon of gas would run you 63 cents. It was also the year that Project Manager Kim Shaffer started

working on the port. After more than 40 years of service, Shaffer is hanging up his many hats and heading off into a well-deserved retirement.

Over the course of his 40 years with the port, Shaffer has worked in many different roles. Coming from a long line of professional carpenters, he studied in an apprenticeship program for four years before following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a carpenter at the port. He would eventually work on the port’s rail and paving crews, and even got to leave his mark on facilities like the old water tower, on which he hand-painted the port’s logo.

Over the course of his career, Shaffer moved through the ranks and retires as a Project Manager after overseeing some of the biggest projects in port history. He says some of his favorite memories are working on projects that changed the course of the port.

“Working on the Subaru project in the late 90s—redeveloping that land, working with partners to make it all happen… It was a big step in the port’s history and it’s cool to look back and see how far we’ve come,” says Shaffer. He also notes the work to redevelop Terminal 5 and return it to industrial use after purchasing the property from an old aluminum smelter will be remembered as one of the most meaningful projects he worked on at the port.

Above all else, Shaffer says meeting and working with the people here has been his greatest pleasure and honor. From environmental and project management teams to administrative and facilities staff, many people made a lasting impression on him and he will remember them, especially people like Construction Inspector Ben Shoop; the two worked together off and on for more than 20 years.

“It’s been a fun and challenging place to work,” says Shaffer. “When I started in 1978, there were only about 10 administrative staff. There has been so much growth—so much for all of us to be proud of.”

Shaffer says he looks forward to finding something new to keep him moving and motivated. When asked if he had any parting words of wisdom for staff or for the community, he simply stated, “Be kind to each other and keep up the good work.”

Thank you for your many decades of service, Kim. You will be deeply missed!