25 Feb Swanby & Palencia Honored as 2024 “Friends of the Port”
Port of Kennewick Honors Ron Swanby and Victor Palencia With 2024 “Friends of the Port” Awards
Kennewick, Wash. – At Port of Kennewick’s regular business meeting today, port CEO Tim Arntzen announced its “2024 Friends of the Port”. The port honored Ron Swanby, owner of Swampy’s BBQ Sauce & Catering, and Victor Palencia, owner of Monarcha Winery, with its annual award recognizing outstanding service to the port and the community.
The 2024 Friends of the Port plaques read: In recognition of your visionary involvement, outstanding promotion, and personal investment in Kennewick’s Historic Waterfront District.
Port Commissioners stated that they were pleased with the port staff selecting both Ron Swanby and Victor Palencia. Ron Swanby was honored for his caring spirit, his perseverance, his advocacy, and his contributions as a partner in economic and community redevelopment. Victor Palencia was recognized for helping raise Columbia Gardens’ profile with his critically acclaimed wines and to honor his creativity, industry leadership, and engagement with port staff and wine village tenants.
Ron Swanby, Swampy’s BBQ Sauce & Eatery
The port staff shared that Ron Swanby has been a champion for Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village and a stalwart partner in bringing vibrancy to Kennewick’s Historic Waterfront. He was the earliest adopter of the port’s idea of bringing a food truck plaza to east Kennewick and Columbia Drive. He not only helped establish the Columbia Gardens Food Truck Plaza, when he outgrew his food truck he then purchased land and built his restaurant at Columbia Gardens—where he continues to support efforts to revitalize the wine village neighborhood.
“From being the very first food truck to operate at Columbia Gardens, to helping coordinate special events, to being the first private-sector investor to purchase a parcel on that same waterfront—Ron has transitioned from tenant, to partner, to friend,” stated Amber Hanchette, port director of real estate. “Indeed, Ron has been an advocate for the wine and artisan village as a whole. From hosting wine club dinners, to coordinating seasonal events, to hyping Columbia Gardens on social media. Ron is helping us create a food and wine destination.”
Victor Palencia, Monarcha Winery
The port also recognized Victor Palencia owner and winemaker for Monarcha Winery which operates a tasting room and wine production facility on Columbia Drive, within the port’s Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village.
According to the port staff, Victor Palencia has been an outstanding ambassador for the Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village. He has been actively involved from the beginning. He understands the port’s vision for Columbia Gardens, and he continues to support the port as it works to transform Kennewick historic waterfront.
Port CEO Tim Arntzen stated, “Victor has worked hard to create vibrancy for east Kennewick. He leased a production facility and tasting room. He then created a food truck business to complement his winery. He hosts art and music events. He brought the first-ever Monarch Festival to the Tri-Cities. And he advises us on our demonstration vineyard. From the start, Victor has worked with adjacent businesses to bring excitement to the entire neighborhood.”
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From left: Port Commissioner Skip Novakovich, Ron Swanby and Port Commissioner Thomas Moak.
From left: Port Commissioner Skip Novakovich, Victor Palencia and Port Commissioner Thomas Moak.