Meet Janelle
Proven Environmental Professional & Volunteer
In addition to her experience serving on the Port Commission, Janelle brings a depth of technical expertise to her candidacy. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Civil Environmental Engineering, Janelle served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and has built a distinguished career focused on environmental protection, remediation and restoration.
After completing her Air Force service Janelle served in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an environmental engineer, supporting major infrastructure projects along the Western States and in Pacific Island ports. In this role, she brought together diverse and often competing interests—including Tribal leaders, local residents, environmental agencies, labor unions, airport authorities, and airlines—to find common ground. Her team-based approach to problem-solving led win-win outcomes, such as achieving zero over-flights above Zion National Park and reduced air traffic over sensitive portions of the Grand Canyon.
Janelle’s commitment to environmental stewardship is also rooted right here in Edmonds. As a past Chair and current member of the Edmonds Tree Board, she continues to champion the role that our urban forests play in protecting water quality, reducing runoff, and enhancing natural habitats. Now, as a Port Commissioner, she continues the work with a broader lens—recognizing how decisions about land use, development, and infrastructure at the Port directly affect the health of the Marsh and the Salish Sea. Whether planting trees or shaping Port policy, Janelle remains focused on practical strategies to reduce impacts of stormwater runoff and protecting our marine ecosystems.
Personal Connection, Public Commitment
Janelle Cass’s connection to the water is both personal and generational. Her father, a third-generation Washingtonian, taught her to sail—passing on not just the skills to navigate the Salish Sea, but a love for its beauty and power. As a family, they explored the waters of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and even ventured north to the Queen Charlotte Islands.
On her mother’s Hawaiian side, Janelle inherited a deep-rooted cultural relationship with the ocean. Growing up surrounded by stories, traditions, and family who lived symbiotically with the ocean, she developed a profound respect for the water’s role in culture, identity, and daily life.
Today Janelle is passing that love of the water on to her own children—sharing the same sense of wonder and stewardship she grew up with. She also volunteered time teaching local youth the fundamentals of sailing, along with the importance of caring for the Puget Sound and protecting access for future generations.
For the past 12 years, Janelle has also been a marina tenant at the Port of Edmonds—experiencing first-hand the value and challenges of waterfront access. That experience drives her commitment to protecting and expanding public access to the water, ensuring the Port continues to serve recreational boaters and the broader community.
Whether teaching, advocating, or leading, Janelle believes our waterfront is a gift to be shared and safeguarded—for everyone today, and for generations to come.
Dedicated to our Local Business Community
Janelle Cass is a local entrepreneur and dedicated community leader. For the past five years, she has served on the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, supporting local businesses and helping drive economic growth in the region. She looks forward to continuing to enhance the vital role the Port plays in fostering our local economy.
As a small business owner, Janelle knows the value of fiscal responsibility and strategic investment. She is committed to ensuring that the Port remains financially strong while continuing to support job creation, innovation, and economic development. Her collaborative leadership style is focused on practical outcomes.