Burkman new Vancouver USA Port Commissioner

(Posted on 02/01/20)

Jack Burkman was sworn in as a Port of Vancouver USA commissioner on Monday, 30^th December at the port’s Administrative Office. Michelle Allan, Port of Vancouver Executive Services Manager, who is a notary public, presided over the oath of office ceremony.

The Port of Vancouver USA is primarily a bulk import and export facility with dedicated facilities for specific commodities, such as grain, soy beans, corn, mineral ores, concentrates, fertilizers, clays, bauxite and agricultural commodities.

Burkman was elected to represent the port’s District 3 and begins his term on Jan. 1, 2020. As Commissioner, he supports creating additional family wage jobs in Southwest Washington, improving freight mobility efficiencies, and developing a skilled workforce in the Greater Vancouver community. He also promotes continued transparency, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility at the port.

For over three decades, Burkman has been extremely active in the Clark County community. In addition to three terms as a Vancouver Councilmember and 10 years as a Clark College Trustee, he has served on numerous public and non-profit agency boards. These include the Regional Transportation Council, C-Tran, Portland Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, League of United Latin American Citizens, and the YWCA Clark County.

Burkman is a native of western Montana and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University. He has spent the last 35 years in Vancouver and retired from Hewlett Packard after 28-years as an R&D manager leading development and commercialization of new technology and products for global markets.

Burkman’s term ends Dec. 31, 2025. The Port of Vancouver USA has a three-member Board of Commissioners that sets policy and direction for the organization. Commissioners are elected to six-year terms of office by the voters in three port districts. Port commission meetings are open to the public and are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the administrative office of the Port of Vancouver.