The Port of Benton fired its chief financial officer and auditor for unsatisfactory performance during a special meeting Feb. 2. The move is the latest in a series of abrupt changes at the port since commissioners suspended their executive director less than a month ago. 

Director of Finance Alicia Myers was fired after less than three months on the job for unsatisfactory work “based on performance to date during a probationary period.” 

They took action via two separate motions from commissioners: one to terminate the port’s auditor and one asking the interim executive director to terminate the chief financial officer, effective the same day. Myers held both roles. 

The action came after a 45-minute closed-door meeting to discuss potential litigation and the performance of a public employee.  

Within an hour after the meeting, Myers’ name and photo were removed from the Port of Benton’s team page on its website.  

She was hired in November 2025 to oversee the port’s financial operations, office administration and manage employee payroll, benefits, hiring and training activities.  

Her role also included developing and administering the annual budget, monitoring and reporting financial performance and overseeing the financial activities of grants and capital projects, according to a press release at the time of her hire. The release touted her extensive experience, including her most recent role as director of finance for Port of Skagit, where she oversaw $54 million in lease receivables and was responsible for grant compliance. Myers previously served as director of finance for Mount Baker School District and as assistant state auditor and fraud specialist for the state Auditor’s Office. 

During the special meeting, commissioners named Angela Saraceno-Lyman, the port’s senior accountant, as the interim auditor and made a salary adjustment, and Jorge Celestino, the port’s business operations specialist, the public records request officer until further notice. Saraceno-Lyman also was named the claims for damages agent until further notice.  

All motions were passed unanimously by the three commissioners.  

The Feb. 2 special meeting was the Port of Benton’s fourth commission meeting within a month.  

A Jan. 7 special meeting saw several changes to the port’s policies regarding the powers of the executive director and the commissioners, followed by the suspension of its executive director, Diahann Howard.  

At a Jan. 14 meeting, commissioners approved a human resources contract exempt from the typical bidding process and agreed to publish a report investigating 24 complaints against Commissioner Scott Keller.