ABOUT ME
Meet Thaddeus
A LIFE ANCHORED ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER
A native Oregonian, Thaddeus has spent his entire life essentially within view of the Columbia River. Our beautiful river has provided a backdrop to his family’s recreation and a cornerstone of his livelihood. Thaddeus’ work has touched on hydro-power, irrigation, salmon habitat, and tribal concerns. These issues flow to the Mouth of the Columbia where we can add commercial fishing to the list of interested parties. After decades of vacationing on the North Coast, Thaddeus and Trish knew they wanted to become part of this dynamic community. In 2022 they purchased a Victorian home and set about restoring it to its original glory. They dock their Olsen 30 sailboat at the West Mooring Basin and hanger their airplane at Astoria-Warrenton Regional airport. Wanting to lay down roots and become fully vested in Astoria, Thaddeus opened a flight school with two business partners in October of 2023. Over the years, he has helped dozens of people realize their dream of becoming licensed pilots. Thaddeus is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of our community. His priorities include sensible revitalization of the central waterfront, implementation of the Boatyard Master Plan, finding direction for the East Mooring Basin, and the urgent need for maintenance and repair on Pier Two. After witnessing the devastation experienced by the collapse of Buoy Beer, Pier Two is a huge priority.
The Port of Astoria is heavily dependent on federal grants to continue serving the community. As a Port Commissioner, Thaddeus will fight to see that Clatsop County receives our fair share of this resource. His number one priority will be to heed all facets of each challenge and help Port staff fulfill their mission of generating economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner. Thaddeus is inspired by many associates, friends and neighbors who are committed to making our community thrive through inclusion and innovation.
UNIQUELY QUALIFIED
Thaddeus is a commercial pilot. His work includes collecting image data with color and infrared cameras. He is proficient with Geographic information systems and regularly produces map-quality images for a wide variety of customers. He has gathered thermal infrared imagery from as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as Guatemala. West from Alaska to Bahamas in the East. His customers include:
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Farmers and agricultural consultants
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Oil and gas producers
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NASA
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Hydro-power operators
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Native-American tribes
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Dept. of Environmental Quality
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US Forest Service
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National Marine Fisheries Service
From the above list, Thaddeus has become intimately familiar with the issues facing communities on the banks of the Columbia River. He understands the delicate balance between competing interests vying for a slice of local resources. Thaddeus is committed to understanding all aspects of these issues.
How a Flying Laser Built a 3-D Map of a Massive Alaskan Forest
Click on the photo to read the article at Wired Magazine.
Thaddeus Launches
Aviation School w/Partners
Click on the photo to read the article at the Bend Bulletin
MISSION STATEMENT
Leadership for the Future of the Port
PORT OF ASTORIA - MISSION STATEMENT
The Port of Astoria seeks to generate economic growth and prosperity in a safe and environmentally responsible manner for it's citizens and through the creation of family wage jobs and prudent management of it's assets.
Thaddeus will work hard to make sure that the master plans that have already been approved are implemented. The boatyard master plan and the airport master plan.
The east mooring basis is an interesting case as it is a blank slate. There are enormous costs involved moving forward. It may be the case that a long-term plan will rely on a public-private partnership to fully realize the development of the property. Thaddeus is anxious to hear many ideas for how to proceed on the east mooring basin. Do you have any good ones?