Post date: Mar 26, 2025
After 25 years of service to the Port of Pasco, including 10 years as executive director, Randy Hayden retired on March 31.
Randy’s long history with the Port of Pasco dates back to 2000 when he joined the Port, and his primary responsibilities included strategic planning for long range development and master plan implementation at the Port’s commercial and industrial sites.
When it came to hiring a new executive director 10 years ago, he was the clear choice.
“Having Randy move into the executive director position right now is significant for the Port,” then-Commissioner Jim Klindworth said at the time. “He’s an engineer, and he’s a perfect fit for us.”
And, he indeed hit the ground running. The Port was in the middle of the Tri-Cities Airport expansion, the largest project in the Port’s history and deemed a “once-in-a-generation” project. The 2-1/2-year expansion was completed in 2017 under Randy’s leadership.
(That, ‘once-in-a-generation expansion” of the airport? Recently, because of significant growth in air services and enplanements during Randy’s time as executive director, initial work on another major terminal expansion has begun, well ahead of the estimated timeline.)
Also during his watch, the final piece of property within Pasco Processing Center was sold as was all available property within the Port’s Foster Wells Business Park. Major new development sites were created including the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center, the Pasco Industrial Center 395 (now also at capacity), the ongoing work to develop Osprey Pointe, and the major 300-acre Reimann Industrial Center, home to the estimated $600-million Darigold plant with room for additional industrial development at the site.
Randy oversaw the upgrade of Big Pasco Industrial Center to keep it a viable asset for the region, and the Port supported the North Franklin Visitor’s Center and North Franklin Heritage Museum.
He managed the Port’s nearly $82-million operating and capital budget and a staff of approximately 40.
"I would like to congratulate Randy on his retirement! His family is in for some well-deserved fun and attention from him! I will miss his faithful service to the people in the Port of Pasco. We could always count on Randy to be prepared and keep us on track in all matters to do with the Port. He kept all of the people of the Port district uppermost in his decisions and taught us how important that is! The relationships with all the jurisdictions that work together with the Port were important to him and are treasured by us. The best we could do for him is to keep those relationships at the top of our dealings for the Port! Thank you, Randy! God bless you! –Commissioner Vicki Gordon
Randy has also been instrumental in helping the Port, and the region, look ahead by creating new goals and projects including the potential Aerospace Innovation and Manufacturing Center and a proposed Agricultural Innovation Center.
He most recently served as chair of the Tri-Cities Chamber’s My TRI2030 Ag Committee as well as a board member of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Benton-Franklin Good Roads Association, and United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties.
According to Karl Dye, President and CEO of TRIDEC, “Randy has provided regional leadership for the Agriculture Innovation Center and Agricultural Symbiosis initiatives in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Labs. Randy has been a dedicated partner of TRIDEC and a proud native Tri-Citian. He exemplifies the very best of our community—visionary leadership, humility, innovation, and a commitment to doing BIG things exceptionally well.”
Port Commission President Jean Ryckman said Hayden has done an incredible job for the Port and for the community.
“He is leaving the Port of Pasco in an even better position than when he took it over, healthy and thriving. We will miss not only his abilities as an executive director, but his interactions with all of us on a personal level. We congratulate him on his well-earned retirement,” she said.
Randy holds a degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington and earned his professional engineer’s license in 1993. He is a Tri-City native, born and raised in Richland. He is married to Anette, and they have three children. As a family, the Hayden’s enjoy camping (especially at Mount Rainier), sports, kayaking, biking, reading and traveling to Norway every few years to visit Anette’s family.
And, many will miss seeing Randy regularly either kayaking or riding his bike to work.
Thank you, Randy, for your commitment and success in serving the Port and its constituents. Now enjoy your retirement.