Dan Aschenbrenner appointed to Port commission

DAYTON-At their regular meeting last week, Port Commissioners Earle Warren and Fred Crowe appointed Dan Aschenbrenner to fill the remainder of Gene Warren's term on the commission, which was to end on Dec. 31, 2019.

Port Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said Warren and his wife, Mary, have moved to the Warren Farm, outside of town.

In May, Aschenbrenner filed for the District 1 position, and is running unopposed for the six-year term, which begins on Jan. 1.

"Since he is the one that will be elected to office anyway, the commissioners thought it would make sense to appoint him to fill the remainder of Gene's term," Dickinson said.

"The strengths I see in Dan are that he has served in an elected position before, so he understands public laws and governance. He used to operate a business that rented from the Port in our Rock Hill Industrial Park, so he has business experience and tenant experience, and he is active in the community," she said.

"I've always felt that it is a good thing to serve your community. This is a good way to do this," Aschenbrenner said about being appointed to the Port commission.

Aschenbrenner said he is a graduate of JD Welding and Training in Tacoma and has been heavily involved in manufacturing.

"I started out as a certified welder to machinists, and from there to facility and plant manager," he said.

Aschenbrenner was a facility manager for Klein Bicycle in Chehalis, Wash., and a plant manager for Blaze King Industries in Walla Walla.

He also served two terms on the Rainier School District's Board of Directors, where he was a legislative liaison, and he was on the planning commission for the City of Rainier.

In Dayton, Aschenbrenner serves on the agriculture/shop committee for the Dayton School District.

He is a welding instructor at Walla Walla Community College and teaches welding at the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

"I find that very rewarding," he said about working with the prison population.