Port of Sunnyside - Board of Commissioners
The Port of Sunnyside has a three member Board of Commissioners (Commission) that set policy and approve all major expenditures. The Commission has appointed an executive administrative staff, including the Port Manager/Auditor and attorney.
A commissioner is elected to a six-year term of office by the voters in the district. The Commission meetings are open to the public and are held on the first and third Monday and following Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., at the Administration Office of the Port, (520 South Seventh Street, Sunnyside, WA 98944). Please see the meeting schedule page for more information.
Meet the Commissioners
Arnold Lee Martin
Mr. Martin has served on the Commission since 1989 and has held each of the offices on the Commission. He was born and raised in the Lower Yakima Valley. He owns and operates his own farm, where he grows mint, wheat, corn, grapes, hay, and raises cattle. Mr. Martin has served as Chairman of the Washington Mint Commission for four years, Washington Mint Growers Association, Board of Federal Spearmint Marketing Order and Rotary. He graduated from Washington State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Minor in Business. He received the Washington State Mint Grower of the Year award in 1980. Mr. Martin received the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce - Agri-Business Person of the Year award in 1993.
Jeffrey E. Matson
Mr. Matson has served on the Commission since 1995. Mr. Matson has held each of the office positions on the Commission. He graduated cum Laude in 1978 from Washington State University with a B. A. in Business Administration. He brings to the Commission 18 years of experience as a C.P.A.. Since April of 1994, he has been owner/manager of Jeffrey Matson, C.P.A., located in Sunnyside, Washington. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Matson is active in Kiwanis - where he served as Treasurer, Vice President and President and numerous other public activities. Serving for three years as Treasurer and on the Finance Committee, of the Sunnyside Christian School Association Board, Mr. Matson takes an active role in local education matters. Governor Locke appointed Mr. Matson to serve as the Port Industry Representative to the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB).
Jim Grubenhoff
Mr. Grubenhoff is the newest commissioner. Mr. Grubenhoff, 53, is self-employed, the longtime owner of Harold's Repair and Rental LLC. Grubenhoff's business deals with outdoor power equipment sales and rentals located in Sunnyside, Washington. He is a member of Rotary for the past thirteen years. He has a vast amount of experience serving the community. Grubenhoff has served on the Lower Valley Credit Union board for fourteen years as well as the Lower Valley Crisis Center Board of Directors. Grubenhoff wants to help develop the economic sustainability of the area, he wants people who grew up in the Valley to come back here and live. " I would like for all of our young adults to feel that they can have a happy and bright future here with a good quality of life."