New Exec. Director for Humboldt Bay Harbor District

Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is getting a new Executive Director. At Thursday night’s meeting, the Harbor District is set to approve an employment agreement with current Deputy Executive Director Chris Mikkelsen.

According to the employment agreement, Executive Director Larry Oetker is set to retire from the district – effective December 31^st.

Mikkelsen would be appointed Executive Director on December 1.

Mikkelsen doesn’t have to wait until December to get an increase in salary. The employment agreement states Mikkelsen’s salary will go to $145,000 a year, starting September 17^th.

The contract also offers a $5,000 bonus if during Mikkelsen’s term, all “necessary coastal development permits are received from the California Coastal Commission” approving the development and operation of the District’s new heavy lift terminal at Redwood Marine Terminal I.

Oetker, the outgoing Executive Director, has been on the job since 2017.

Mikkelsen joined the District in July 2019.

Humboldt Bay Harbor oversees and promotes development projects and programs including commercial fishing, pilot licensing, and an offshore wind project that would be the biggest in the world.