The five Commission Board members of the Port of Hood River are called Commissioners and are elected to five designated numbered positions by the voters of the Port of Hood River District. To be elected to the Board, an individual must be qualified under Oregon Revised Statutes (must be at least 18 years of age and a registered voter) and must be a resident of the port district. Each Commissioner serves a four-year term of office which begins July 1 of the year elected. Swearing in of newly elected Commissioners takes place at the first regular meeting in July. Regular Port meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month. Work sessions are held when needed.

In the event an elected Commissioner cannot complete the term of office, a new member will be appointed to the position by the remaining members of the Board to serve until the next regularly scheduled Port election.

Commission officers are elected annually by majority vote of the Board. Officers are elected for a period of one year. The main duties of each officer are listed below although the Board may assign additional duties to any officer.

Policy is then implemented by staff under the direction of the Executive Director. Port Commissioners shall approve of all bills presented to them at regular meetings. They shall also act on routine business and make decisions on other matters to come before the Board. No individual member of the Commission shall contract for or incur debt or enter into any agreement or otherwise obligate the Port except by authorization of the entire Board. No one Commissioner, including the President, has any more authority than any other.

Port staff including administrative, maintenance and bridge personnel work under direct supervision of the Executive Director and report to the Commission through the Executive Director.