The Port of Bremerton has hired land use planner James Weaver to serve as director of marine facilities, overseeing the Bremerton Marina, the Port Orchard Marina, Harper Pier and other harbor facilities.

Weaver will direct operations and day-to-day management of the marine features of the publicly-funded port administration that has a mission to “increase the economic opportunity for all of Kitsap County by creating jobs, developing infrastructure and improving local quality of life.”

He said one of his priorities will be to work with port staff and community members on future marina improvements, according to a press release issued Thursday by the port.

“I look forward to joining a terrific team,” Weaver said, “and working toward exciting future economic, recreation, and sustainable projects for the public.”

Weaver spent the past 15 years in planner roles for Kitsap County, the city of Port Orchard and the city of Bainbridge. Before that, he worked as a coastal land use expert for the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, and for the city of San Diego on large-scale regional oceanfront projects like the Liberty Station Naval Training Base and the Sea World amusement park expansion.

Weaver holds a master’s degree in architecture from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“Having been a lifelong boater and having a career focused on waterfronts, I feel I can bring a passion to this position that is unique,” he said.

The Port of Bremerton, the fourth oldest port in the state, operates two marinas, a number of business and industrial parks that house more than 60 companies, and the largest airport in Kitsap County — Bremerton National Airport.

According to the organization, growth is anticipated in the district. More than 9,000 jobs are expected to be added by the year 2025.