The retired city manager of Kennewick has been appointed as the Port of Kennewick’s newest commissioner.

Commissioners unanimously chose Marie Mosley at their Nov. 10 public meeting. The position opened up after former Commissioner Ken Hohenberg retired Sept. 1 to spend more time with family.

Mosley spent 40 years in municipal government work before retiring as the city’s top executive in 2023 after 13 years. 

She was an accountant for the city of Kennewick for seven years and then worked for the cities of Renton and Federal Way before moving back to the Tri-Cities in 2001 where she rejoined the city of Kennewick as finance manager, then support services executive director. She was promoted to city manager in 2010.

Mosley, a Tri-City native, was named Kennewick Woman of the Year in 2019 for her leadership and being a champion for providing public service at the highest level.

She will fill the commission seat for the remainder of Hohenberg’s six-year term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027. Mosley said during the port’s Nov. 4 special meeting that she plans to run in the 2027 election for the commission seat.

She was one of eight initial candidates for the seat.

In addition to Mosley, three other candidates were named finalists: Matt Boehnke, Don Britain and Robert (Rob) Welch. At the Nov. 10 meeting, commissioners narrowed the field down to Mosley and Boehnke before ultimately selecting Mosley for the position.

“I feel honored to be appointed to this position, and especially amongst my colleagues that have applied for and interviewed for this position,” she said at the meeting.

Mosley said she admires the leadership of port CEO Tim Arntzen and looks forward to working with him and the staff to implement the port’s vision and projects.

“I look forward to working with both the commissioners in partnership and trying to find some common ground as we move forward,” she said. 

Port commissioners receive a salary of $37,511 annually plus medical benefits, according to the port’s website.