A longtime Tri-Cities public servant is stepping back from elected office. Port of Kennewick Commissioner Ken Hohenberg is retiring from the position effective Sept. 1. 

His retirement was announced at the commission’s Aug. 11 regular board meeting. 

“After nearly 50 years of community service, I’ve decided to retire to spend more time with my family. It has been a privilege to serve as a Port of Kennewick commissioner, representing tens of thousands of you who live in my district. I am proud to pass the torch to a new commissioner knowing all that has been accomplished. We have a great team, doing great things to benefit the region,” he said in a statement.

Voters in port’s District 1, which includes parts of Kennewick and Richland, elected Hohenberg to his six-year term, which began in 2022.

Commissioners Skip Novakovich and Raul Contreras Gonzalez will appoint a replacement from district 1 to fill the remainder of his term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027. 

The port said it will announce details on the application process in the coming weeks.

Hohenberg retired from the Kennewick Police Department in 2022 after a distinguished career, including serving as police chief and deputy city manager.

He was named Tri-Citian of the Year in 2009.

Prior to serving as a port commissioner, Hohenberg received the port’s 2011 Friend of the Port award in recognition of his role in transforming Clover Island and as a champion for the urban renewal of downtown Kennewick.

Port CEO Tim Arntzen called him a “true statesman” and said he would be missed.

Port commissioners also spoke highly of his tenure.

“In my time as a Port of Kennewick commissioner, I’ve had the honor of serving alongside several fellow commissioners,” Novakovich said in a statement. “Ken is one of the best and selflessly represented the community.”

Contreras Gonzalez said, “I’ve only had the privilege of serving with Ken on the port commission since the start of the year, but it’s evident that he is the type of leader every elected official should aspire to be.”