Tim McDonald, executive director for the Port of Coupeville, submitted a letter of resignation last week.

It is a necessary transition, McDonald said. “For totally personal reasons, I need to move on.”

McDonald is making his resignation effective Dec. 31, but said he is willing to stay on temporarily in the event the port does not find a replacement by then.

“I want to thank the port board for providing outstanding leadership during my tenure,” McDonald wrote. “I have worked in the public sector for more than 35 years, and I hold this current port board as the best and most dedicated board I have worked with.”

McDonald started in his position in December 2013, replacing former executive director Jim Patton.

The port will begin the process of finding a new executive director.

The position is currently a salaried position earning $3,200 a month, or $38,400 a year.