KINGSTON — It’s difficult for David Malone to say why he wanted the Port of Kingston executive director job. Not because he doesn’t know why.

Asking him why he wanted to work at the port is like asking why a race car driver wants to drive and be the best, Malone said.

“It’s a great job,” he said.

Malone, 51, accepted the port’s offer in the third week of November. The port sent an offer Nov. 18 after the port commission held a special meeting to decide who would be the next director. There were more than 40 applicants.

Malone is expected to start working at the port Dec. 16. Malone and his family have lived in Hansville for more than three years. He’s been working in Alaska for about six years.

Malone is the general manager of Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau, Alaska. The seven-story, 105-room hotel is a subsidiary of Goldbelt Incorporated, a Tlingit/Haida corporation created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The hotel, which features a permanent display of museum-quality Alaska Native art in its lobby, is finishing a $2 million renovation. Malone is training a new team at the hotel before heading back home.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Malone said of returning to Kitsap.

The core of the port “team” is already at Kingston, Malone said. He is excited to join a staff that already works well together. “To join a team, such as Kingston … it’s quite an honor,” he said.

Malone succeeds Kori Henry, who took a job with the North Kitsap School District. Henry managed a $1 million budget and staff of nine. Steve Hyman, former Soundrunner passenger ferry captain, has filled in as interim port director.

Hyman said the port has a lot of projects going on, including dredging.

“For me personally, it’s been extremely demanding,” Hyman said. “If I had all the experience [Henry] had, it wouldn’t be demanding.”

Hyman described the job as “very rewarding.”

Malone has an extensive, varied working history. He served on the Sitka Port Commission, which manages five harbors, including commercial and cruise ship traffic. He served as vice president/general manager at Northline Energy, Inc.; vice president of operations at Shee Atika, Inc.; vice chairman of the Sitka Tourism Commission; vice president of the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce; board member of the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau; general manager of Shee Atika Management; regional director at Larkspur Hotels and Restaurants; and general manager at Marriott International.

Malone studied business at Santa Barbara City College, and computer science at Bryant Stratton Business College.

“We feel very fortunate in getting him,” Kingston Port Commissioner Walt Elliott said. “He’s exceptionally well qualified. He can run a waterfront.”