When kayaking and camping are your hobbies, the San Juan Islands might be the perfect place to live.

Eric Webb accepted the position of Orcas Island School District superintendent because he appreciates island life.

“My family and I have visited Mustang Island on the Texas Gulf Coastal for the last 18 years,” said Webb, who lives in Oklahoma.  “We have a great appreciation for nature and marine life, and we have always wanted to live near the ocean. Orcas has everything the Gulf Coast has to offer and so much more.”

Webb is replacing long-time superintendent Barbara Kline.

“We feel Eric is going to be a steady hand and a calming influence for the district staff and he has a strong financial background,” said School Board Chair Scott Lancaster. “He has a reputation in the district that he is coming from as someone who can bring together different groups to go in the same direction. He was strongly supported by our community and staff, and most importantly, he understands developing a vision and carrying that forward for the district.”

Kline has worked for Orcas School for 17 years, moving up the ranks to middle and high school principal and then superintendent in 2008.  She announced her retirement this past fall.

“I have been walking around looking at the decision from various angles. It appears to be the right decision for both the district and me,” she wrote in a press release.

In early January, the school board asked for community input with its search for Kline’s replacement. The board then contracted with the firm McPherson and Jacobson to assist in the process.

Finalists were selected and interviewed in March and Webb was offered the position in early April.

Webb worked as an elementary through high school teacher before obtaining his administration certification. He served as assistant principal in Texas, then moved to Oklahoma to his current district of 1,400 students and 125 staff. There Webb spent four years as a middle school principal, six years as an assistant superintendent, and is currently serving as assistant and interim superintendent. His experience includes working with a team to manage an $11 million budget.

Webb emphasized the importance of building relationships and trust with staff in a new district before making any major changes.

Webb is moving to Orcas the first week in July with his wife Jana, 18-year-old daughter Mesa and 14-year-old son McCabe.

He and Jana met in college and have been married for 24 years.

“I have yet to meet a person with a bigger heart,” Eric says of his wife. ‘She also has a gift for helping children learn to love reading.’”

Mesa, who is active in student leadership and band, will be studying biological anthropology and Spanish at Western Washington University in the fall.

McCabe is a Life Scout and active in band and student leadership. He is working on his Red Cross and Boy Scout lifesaving credentials, and wants to be a marine biologist.

“Both of our children are avid readers, just like their mother,” Eric said. “As a family, we enjoy gardening, kayaking, and geocaching. We are active in our church and several community service organizations.”

In his off time, Eric likes to kayak, camp, tinker in the garage and work on projects. His dream project is an outdoor kitchen complete with brick pizza oven and a cedar strip canoe.

The Webbs’ boxer and two cats are making the move with them. They also foster Airedales.

“I look forward to getting to know the staff, the students, and parents of Orcas as well as the community,” Eric said. “I will work closely with the school board to set goals for the future.”

He likes to boost staff morale by offering respect, appreciation, noticing staff efforts and celebrating successes.

“You have to have fun,” he said. “You have to laugh, you have to enjoy that because tomorrow’s another day.”

Sounder freelancer Meredith Griffith contributed to this report.