Port of Coupeville names Marisa Michaud as next executive director

The Port of Coupeville has picked Marisa Michaud to take over two of Whidbey Island’s most visible public places, Greenbank Farm and Coupeville Wharf, as the agency keeps working on access, preservation and major repairs at both sites. Michaud will start April 27, stepping into a job that touches tourism, tenant relations and the future of landmarks that many residents use year-round.

Commissioners said Michaud stood out during a nearly two-hour interview because she brought operational experience, public-service experience and a clear interest in the port’s work. Her background begins in trucking and logistics, where she spent 26 years and rose into senior leadership, managing complex operations and teams. She also served 10 years on the Fife School District Board, experience port leaders saw as relevant to a role that requires patience, communication and the ability to work through disagreements without losing momentum.

Outgoing Executive Director Chris Michalopoulos, who planned to retire in spring 2026 after more than eight years on the job, said Michaud checks “every box.” Commissioners Shane Clyburn, John Mishasek and Marianne Burr also pointed to the mix of enthusiasm and practical know-how she brings to an agency that oversees properties central to daily life on Whidbey Island.

That job carries real stakes at the Coupeville Wharf, which the port describes as the most iconic structure in town. Built in 1905 and part of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve since 1978, the wharf now supports boat-dock services, kayak rentals, a gift shop and a restaurant on Penn Cove. Greenbank Farm remains another major draw, with working farms, trails, birding, shops, food and event space that bring visitors through Greenbank and central Whidbey.

The port is still in the middle of capital work at both sites. A recently installed storm-hardened open-water dock at the wharf is one example, and other restoration and maintenance projects continue to rely on grant funding and local levy decisions. Port materials say existing tax revenues and operating income are not enough to cover needed improvements, which are estimated at more than $13 million. Port records show the board has already approved a 2026 regular levy increase and a 2026 Industrial Development District levy increase.

Michaud said she was excited to serve the community and continue work already underway. She also said she already knows Greenbank Farm from regular visits, a detail that matters to tenants and neighbors who have watched recent questions about the hiring process and want a leader who can balance public access, preservation and day-to-day operations from the start.