The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Since moving to Dayton last July, the Port of Columbia's new Economic Development Coordinator, Kathryn Witherington, has not wasted time getting involved in the local community.

Witherington is currently serving on the City of Dayton Planning Commission. And she played the role of Janet in the recent production of Two Across at the Liberty Theater.

"I'm excited to jump in and take the challenge," Witherington said about her new job at the Port, which will begin on March 1.

Witherington said that after graduating with a degree in English and Political Science from Gonzaga University in 2007, she embarked on a career as a facilities manager. She has worked mainly for non-profit organizations, including the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington D.C., the YMCA in Olympia, and Junior Achievement in Walla Walla.

She said the job with the Port represents a different kind of challenge for her, from working with non-profit organizations to a role supporting the economic life of the people who live in the community.

Witherington said her experience growing up in the small town of Elko, Nevada has given her the right skill set for the job. She emphasized the need to listen to people about the issues that concern them the most, and the importance of consensus building.

Witherington posed the question, "Where do we begin, in a conscientious way, to respect the local history and the residents, while living up to the challenge of going forward?"

Witherington said she became infatuated with Dayton in May of last year while traveling through to Spokane, and through her job at Junior Achievement of Walla Walla, which brought her to the Dayton.

"The people have a neat spirit and enthusiasm. It is easy to be a part of it," she said. "A lot of towns don't have the infrastructure. Here they do. You can spend the day here, and not think you're needing something you don't have access to."

"I wasn't looking to leave Junior Achievement," Witherington explained. "I will use the same skill set in this community I love. It was a no-brainer to apply."

Port Manager Jennie Dickinson said, "Kathryn's prior leadership roles and diverse work experience, including youth entrepreneurial training, grant writing and facilities management, will be great assets to the Port of Columbia and our community. We're excited to have her on board."

Witherington has been employed with Junior Achievement of Walla Walla as the Area Manager, for the past year and a half.

She lives in Dayton with her husband, James, who works for the Army Corps of Engineers, and their two children, Alyssa, 4, and Benjamin, 3.