KINGSTON — The port has announced that Executive Director Jim Pivarnik has resigned. His las day will be September 17.

Pivarnik is taking over as interim director for the Port of Port Townsend, according to a press release.

“A year ago, I told the Kingston port commissioners I planned to retire at the end of 2019. So, while my departure is premature, we’re prepared for it; the four major challenges we faced when I came on board in 2016 have largely been accomplished. We now have in place very robust public information and regulatory policies to assure we meet all of our legal requirements,” Pivarnik said. “As for the other three challenges: The covered moorage project is complete. On Aug. 15, we opened the Port’s new park on Washington Blvd. — a project that started clear back in 2013. And our preparations for the new Kingston-to-Seattle fast ferry will be completed by October.

Pivarnik went on to say that there is a great team of commissioners and staff in place at the park.

“I had planned to — would have been honored to — finish out my professional career at the Port of Kingston,” he said. “But, Port Townsend is home for my wife Christina and I. Plus, I worked there as deputy port director from 2001 to 2016 and can step right into the position.”

Port commission President Mary McClure said Pivarnik was a major asset during his time with the port.

“We are in a strong position now to move forward, and we will,” she said. “ We appreciate what Jim has done here and wish him well. We understand that he took the Port Townsend position — it’s his home town and they need his professional skills. Yet, every moment of loss is also a moment of opportunity. We share his enthusiasm for Kingston’s future.”