As of Aug. 7, a new executive director is leading the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.
The nonprofit trade organization has hired longtime business and military veteran Neil Maunu. The hiring was announced July 27.
Maunu is stepping into the leadership role previously held by Heather Stebbings, who worked with the association for 15 years, including two years as executive director. She is pursuing consulting opportunities, the organization said.
“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who cares more about PNWA and the Pacific Northwest than Heather Stebbings,” Port of Whitman County Commissioner and PNWA Board President Tom Kammerzell said.
“We are grateful for her expertise and long service to this organization, its members and its partners,” he added. “It’s been a pleasure working with Heather and we all wish her and her family the best in their next adventure.”
Maunu has been involved in the Pacific Northwest maritime industry for more than 16 years, including serving in operations, business development and commercial negotiations at Kinder Morgan and Tidewater Transportation and Terminals. As a senior vice president of operations for Denmar U.S. LLC, he recently led the development of a soda ash export terminal at the Port of Stockton in California.
He also served in the Oregon National Guard for 13 years and he retired as an aviation lieutenant colonel in 2020.
“Neil brings with him a passion for our region and rich experiences in leadership, the maritime industry, logistics, federal systems, and the Northwest’s working waterways,” Kammerzell said. “We are pleased to welcome him as PNWA executive director and look forward to working together to keep our region and our waterways strong.”
