Cruise ships docked in Skagway’s port. (Emily Files)
Skagway is scheduled to take control of its port operations from the current leaseholder White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad in 2023. In preparation, officials have created the new position of Port Director and tapped one of their own to fill the role.
The search for a Port Director took longer than many in Skagway thought it would, but in the end, they hired from within. KHNS’ Mike Swasey spoke with longtime Skagway resident Cody Jennings, who has been Tourism Director for the last six years and will transition to Port Director at the beginning of next month.
Swasey – What are you going to be doing as port director? What does that job entail?
Jennings – Goodness, well, I don’t know what I don’t know yet. 2023 is coming soon. And so right now it’s going to be figuring out what that transition plan looks like, and just getting in and learning all the parts and pieces of it.
Swasey – So there’s been a lot of talk about a port authority in Skagway versus just a port directorship. Can you kind of help shed a little bit of light on where that stands where that whole discussion is?
Jennings – So I can’t really speak to that. I think right now what the ports and harbors advisory board, I hope I got that title right, their recommendation is to wait and see what it looks like once the municipality is overseeing the operation of the port and have a better understanding about what is going to be best.
I think that, you know, they don’t want to rush into a decision and find that it may not be the best fit. So they’re obviously being cautious and doing their due diligence. And so it’s been a long time since Skagway’s been in charge of their own port, so I think they want to get it right. Everybody wants to get it right.
Swasey – What’s going to be your biggest challenge as port director?
Jennings – Oh, goodness, I think trying to figure out how all the pieces are going to work together. I’m not coming into a position that’s previously staffed and somebody here to say, this is what you do, and this is how you do it. So I think it’s just going to be learning and being cognizant of all the parts and pieces that make up our port. But I love that. That’s one of my favorite things, is just puzzle solving and putting all the pieces together.
Swasey – So that’s interesting, you’re going to be kind of designing the job as you work into it.
Jennings – I think so. I think that you know, obviously working with the ports and harbors and our assembly and our manager, there’s a great supporting cast in the municipality, the harbormaster, and public works. And so I see all of those things sort of tying in. So I’m looking forward to working with all of these folks. I mean, they do their jobs really well, and they know how all this stuff works together. And so I’m looking forward to being part of that team.
Swasey – Will you be hiring on more staff as part of your department?
Jennings – I imagine that we’ll be looking at that. But again, I think there are so many things that I don’t know yet. So officially, I haven’t stepped into the role. I expect to do that on November 1.
We’re going through a lot of things here at the visitor center, our 2022 visitor guide, we’re doing a punch list for the last few changes to the website that we just rolled out. And so we’re just sort of buttoning up a bunch of things here. So I didn’t want to rush right out and leave projects open-ended. So November 1, I think I’ll have a better understanding of how all of this is going to go forward.
Swasey – Sure. What do you most, and last question for you, what are you most excited about, outside of putting the pieces of the puzzle together, what are you most excited about when you do take over the role?
Jennings – I would say I think that it’s knowing that our community is going forward in this new way and getting to be a part of it. The last two years have shown us what an important role tourism plays in our community and our port as a whole. And I think that that’s really exciting.
Swasey – Awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time and good luck with the new gig.
Jennings – Okay, thanks Mike.
