Montesano’s Phil Papac has been chosen to fill the Port of Grays Harbor District 1 seat that will be vacated when Chuck Caldwell’s resignation becomes effective Sunday.

At a special commission meeting Friday, commissioners Jack Thompson and Stan Pinnick selected Papac for the position.

“It was great to see so many candidates passionate about the Port and the future of Grays Harbor apply,” stated Commissioner Stan Pinnick. “We are excited to welcome Mr. Papac to the board and feel his commitment, experience and abilities will be an asset to the Port and our community.”

Papac, a lifelong resident of Montesano, was selected from a pool of six applicants for the position. The father of two grown sons, he has operated the Crow’s Nest Drive-In restaurant with his wife for the past 37 years. He also served on the Montesano Parks Board for 20 years, co-chaired two successful school levies, coached and served on several boards for youth sports, and had a 20-year career refereeing basketball throughout Grays Harbor.

Papac will be officially appointed and sworn in at the regularly scheduled Commission meeting Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. He will serve the remainder of Caldwell’s term, which will be up for election in November 2019, at which time he would have to stand for election for the following 6-year term and face any challenger who files.