Event Calendar
Meet the Team
Mike McGinnMichael Patrick McGinn was elected the 52nd mayor of Seattle in November of 2009.
Mayor McGinn has been active in politics, law, and environmental advocacy since graduating college. He received his bachelor's degree, in economics, from Williams College in Massachusetts, and then worked for Oregon Democratic Congressman Jim Weaver as a legislative aide. After moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington Law School, he served as president of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, where he led campaigns to provide better housing and health benefits for students.
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After graduating from law school, McGinn joined the Seattle law firm Stokes Lawrence and later became partner. He chaired the local chapter of the Sierra Club, where he oversaw work on state and local issues, and served on the organization's national political committee.
McGinn left the law firm to found Great City - a Seattle nonprofit that brought together neighbors, environmentalists and business leaders advocating for smart and responsible urbanism as the solution to many local, economic and environmental challenges.
In 2007 McGinn led a grassroots campaign to defeat a "Roads and Transit" ballot measure that would have required Seattle to help pay for 180 miles of suburban highways. The following year he worked to help pass the Sound Transit ballot measure to expand light rail. In 2008 McGinn co-chaired the Seattle Parks for All campaign that resulted in voter approval of the city's parks levy.
Before being elected mayor, McGinn also served on many neighborhood and environmental advisory committees, including the Green Ribbon Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee and Urban Sustainability Advisory Panel.
As one of six children growing up on Long Island, New York, Mayor McGinn was raised by educators: His mother was a school principal, his father the director of community services for their school district.
He lives in Greenwood with his wife and three children. The mayor enjoys riding his bike to work and helping coach his children's basketball team.
Julie developed her political, organizational and management expertise during stints on Capitol Hill, as well as U.S. Senate and Congressional campaigns. On the campaign trail, Julie set fundraising records as Finance Director of one of the top challenger races for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986, and has been involved in a number of local campaigns since moving to Seattle in 1997. Her local campaigns include Ron Sims for Governor, Heidi Wills for City Council, and Richard McIver for City Council.
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Julie also helped manage a successful effort to defeat the Roads & Transit measure in 2007 and pass the Parks Levy in 2008. Julie most recently helped elect Michael McGinn as mayor of Seattle.
During the 1992 Clinton Presidential transition, Julie served as special assistant to Gus Speth, the Chair of the Natural Resources cluster overseeing the Departments of Interior, Energy, Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. She also previously served as a Staff Assistant to Congressman Richard Stallings (D-ID), and Field Office Director to Congressman Larry LaRocco (D-ID).
Julie lives in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle with her husband Bill Broadhead and their five children. She remains active in her local school, where she serves as Co-President of the Greenwood Elementary Parents and Teachers Association. Julie is also an active volunteer with Water 1st, a local non-profit organization that works to bring clean water and sanitation to poor communities in Africa and India.
For more than 15 years, Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith has worked diligently to create a vibrant and diverse Seattle that all people can call home. He has deep experience in the areas of advocacy, community-building and civic leadership and believes that collaboration between a variety of community groups and individual citizen engagement is vital to creating a brighter future for Seattle.
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As deputy mayor, he leads community engagement efforts aimed at neighborhoods, small businesses and civic organizations. He also supports administration-wide efforts to more deeply engage individual citizens in their Seattle community. To foster more open and effective communication between these groups and the city, the deputy mayor's office works closely with the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Neighborhoods. Priority projects include revitalizing neighborhood business districts and creating more opportunities for green jobs in Seattle.
Prior to serving as deputy mayor, he worked with community groups, businesses and nonprofit organizations to lead the revitalization of Columbia City, one of Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods. He also worked in the real estate sector representing first-time home-buyers and commercial clients including the builders of the nationally recognized public housing redevelopments at New Holly, Othello Station and Rainier Vista.
He has held a variety of civic leadership roles including president of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce, membership on the Seattle Planning Commission and on the boards of Powerful Schools, Allied Arts, the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund and Great City.
He lives in Southeast Seattle with his wife and daughter.
Ethan Raup was born and raised in Williamsport, PA. Ethan and his wife Tess lived in Seattle from 1994 through 2003. During that time, Ethan worked as an aide to former Mayor Norm Rice, and as Director of Strategic Planning and Deputy Chief of Staff to former King County Executive Ron Sims. From 2005 until 2010, he and his family, which includes Jonah (9) and Owen (6), lived in Pittsburgh, Pa, where Ethan worked in non-profit community redevelopment. He and his family were happy for the chance to return to Seattle in 2010, where Ethan joined the McGinn administration as Director of Policy and External Affairs.
Beth Hester brings more than 20 years of experience in local government and strategic communications to the office of Mayor Mike McGinn. Since 2002 she worked as Content Manager and then General Manager at the Seattle Channel, turning what had been a loosely structured organization into the number one rated municipal television station in the country. The Seattle Channel was recently nominated for 17 local Emmy awards, and has received many other honors as a result of Hester's leadership.
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In the 1990s she worked in New York City for Governor Mario Cuomo and Lt. Governor Stan Lundine, and later as a Child Welfare Budget Analyst for the NYC Office of Management and Budget. After moving to Seattle in 1994, she began her career in the Northwest at King County, serving as a budget analyst, then as manager of Governmental and External Affairs in the office of King County Executive Ron Sims. She wrapped her time at the County working in the office of Governmental Relations for the King County Council and spent time in Olympia as a lobbyist in the areas of criminal justice, human services and housing.
A Long Island native, Hester holds a Masters of Public Administration from New York University. She's a volunteer with the Pride Foundation and a board member of the Northwest Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She loves to play sports, listen to her friends play music, and walk her two Italian Greyhounds (Joey and Reno) around her West Seattle neighborhood.
Carl Marquardt serves as Legal Counsel to the Mayor. He is responsible for advising the Mayor and Mayor's staff on legal issues related to the functioning of the office, and serves as primary liaison to the City Attorney's Office, Seattle Police Department, and Seattle Fire Department. Carl is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Washington School of Law. After law school, he served as a law clerk to the Hon. Mary K. Becker on the Washington Court of Appeals, and was a partner in the Seattle law firm of Stokes Lawrence. He lives in the Madrona neighborhood with his wife and three children.
A longtime Washingtonian and Seattle resident, Jaline Quinto has broad-based experience in communications, public relations, policy and advocacy, as well as project and campaign management. She has an extensive history of working with diverse constituencies in nonprofit and government settings.
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Most recently, Jaline worked in communications for the Pew Environment Group's International Boreal Conservation Campaign where she was the project manager for all major public relations initiatives. Before that, Jaline served as Communications Director at DC Vote, an organization seeking to secure a vote in Congress for DC residents; raised funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston during their $100 million capital campaign and established an alumni program; managed a successful Washington State House race; and worked with Democratic Leadership in the Washington State House of Representatives.
Jaline is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in communications and American Indian studies. She lives in Ballard with her husband and son.
Candace Inagi was born and raised in East Los Angeles. Her parents and three generations of her family were among the 120,000 people of Japanese descent incarcerated during WWII. Throughout her childhood, she heard many elders say, "shikata ga nai"-- "it could not be helped." Fortunately, she also learned of community leaders who stood up and fought for justice and who, to this day, remind us that we must stand together across communities to protect and promote civil and human rights for all in order that we not allow history to repeat itself. This history is part of her story and fuels her commitment to and passion for organizing and civic engagement.
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Over her 20 year career, Candace has worked on lobbying, organizing, and civic engagement campaigns for non-profits, unions, and elected officials aligned with her values on labor, social and environmental justice, immigrants rights, and health and long term care. It is her honor to offer my experience in service to our Mayor and the people of Seattle as we tackle some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our time.
Candace lives in a wonderfully diverse neighborhood in the Central District.
Michele Scoleri came to the Mayor's Office with over 20 years of experience as a music and arts professional. In 2000 she moved to Seattle when she was recruited by One Reel. During her decade at the non-profit arts organization, Michele served as an artistic director and executive director producing numerous events including Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival and the Summer Nights at the Pier concert series. From 2003-2009 she also served on the advisory board to the Mayor's Office of Film & Music.
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In the 1990's she was a talent agent at Premier Talent in New York City, one of the top music agencies in the world at that time, which represented artists such as U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty.
Michele enjoys mentoring students and teaching yoga in her free time.
David Hiller was born in Bethesda, MD and lived throughout the country as a child of a career Coast Guard officer. David and his wife Candace moved to Seattle in 2003. Before coming to Seattle, David worked as an aide to elected officials in Connecticut, and in other strategic communications, and policy analysis and development roles in California, New Hampshire, and Washington DC. His career policy focus is primarily in the land-use, transportation and air-quality arena with several years of health care and long term care, and labor and workforce development experience. David most recently comes to Mayor McGinn's staff having been the Advocacy Director of the Seattle-based Cascade Bicycle Club.
Jerry DeGrieck is a Senior Policy Advisor to Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. His areas of responsibility include Human Services, Health, Education, and Financial Empowerment.
Jerry serves as the lead City liaison to Public Health - Seattle & King County. From 2005 - 2011, Jerry was the Public Health Manager and Policy Advisor for the City of Seattle, working in the Human Services Department (HSD). He oversaw the City's $16 million in contracts for public health services and developed public health policy. In 2011, Jerry negotiated a Public Health Interlocal Agreement between the City and King County; this agreement governs the City-County public health responsibilities and relationship. Periodically while in HSD, Jerry served as the interim director of three divisions. In 2006 and 2007, Jerry received the HSD Maximum Achievement Award.
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On behalf of the City, Jerry cofounded and co-leads the Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaborative (SKCABC), which is comprised of representatives from more than 60 partner organizations. SKCABC has organized several major strategies to advance financial empowerment. Jerry is the City's lead on Bank on Seattle – King County, an initiative to connect “unbanked” people with affordable mainstream financial services. He is the City's representative on the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) coalition. He chairs the CFE Policy Committee. Jerry led the City's partnership with Washington State to create Washington Connection, the statewide electronic benefits portal on which people can now apply for multiple City- and State-administered public benefits.
From 2000 – 2004, Jerry was the City/Schools Liaison in the Seattle Office for Education. In that capacity, Jerry led a City-community initiative to create a system of quality and affordable early learning, afterschool, and youth development programs for children and youth. He helped establish school-based Community Learning Centers and aligned Seattle's afterschool programs to support student learning and academic success. Jerry was instrumental in establishing a partnership of 25 private grant makers, the City of Seattle and King County, which invested $4+ million annually to improve early learning, afterschool, and family support. In 2003, Jerry received the City's Seattle Works! Outstanding Public Service in Community Engagement award.
From 1993 – 2000, Jerry was the Public Health Services Administrator for Southeast King County, overseeing 15 lines of business, 11 public health sites, 125 staff and a $10.5 million budget. In 2000, the South King County Council of Human Services named Jerry as the recipient of its ‘Human Services Provider of the Year' award for his work in creating successful collaborative partnerships that improved the health and well being of children, youth, and families. From 1987 – 1993, Jerry directed King County's Employment and Training programs, which served youth and adults. Jerry is a former Chair of the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities and a former Ann Arbor, Michigan City Councilmember, elected as a member of the Human Rights Party.
Department and Office Heads
City Budget Office
Beth Goldberg, Director
(206) 615-1962
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Beth Goldberg oversees budget development, implementation and monitoring of the City's $3.8 billion annual budget, including the City's $905 million General Fund budget. Beth's public sector budgeting career began in 1996 at King County where she served the following eleven years as budget analyst, senior policy analyst, and budget section supervisor. She then assumed a position as a vice president in the Public Finance department of Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation. She subsequently returned to King County in 2008 as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management & Budget, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a 35 person office and the development of the county's $4.9 billion annual budget. In 2009, she also assumed the role of Acting Director of OMB. In these latter roles, Beth oversaw the development of annual budgets that closed nearly $150 million in budget deficits in the county's $620 million General Fund while still maintaining the county's AAA bond rating.
Superintendent Carrasco leads the ninth largest public utility in the United States. Seattle City Light was founded in 1905 to provide electric power to the citizens of Seattle. Today, City Light operates seven hydroelectric plants that provide about half of the city's power needs, with the remaining power provided by alternative energy plants and contracts with the Bonneville Power Administration. Ninety percent of Seattle's energy is from clean, low-cost renewable hydro power. Seattle was the first electric utility to achieve zero net carbon emissions in 2005 and has remained carbon neutral ever since. A leader in energy conservation, the utility has saved enough power since the mid-1970's to power two cities the size of Seattle for a year.
Bill Schrier, Director & Chief Technical Officer
(206) 684-0600
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Bill Schrier is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the City of Seattle and director of the City's Department of Information Technology (DoIT), reporting directly to Mayor Mike McGinn. Seattle has a population of about 600,000 residents and a City government of about 11,000 employees. DoIT has 215 full-time employees and a budget of $59 million. Approximately 600 employees work in information technology units throughout City government.
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As CTO, Bill is responsible to set standards and policies governing the use of information technology in City government. As Director of DoIT, Bill's responsibilities include the city's data center, computing services, information security, web site, municipal television station, community technology, electronic mail system, 800 MHz trunked public safety radio system, telephone network, and data communications network.
The City of Seattle's website www.seattle.gov, television station and technology projects have won a number of local and national awards, including "Best of the Web City Portal" in 2001 and 2006 and NATOA's "Excellence in Government Programming" in 2007 and 2008 for the Seattle Channel.
He writes a blog about the intersection of information technology and government, how they sometimes collide but often influence and change each other. It can be found at www.digitalcommunitiesblogs.com/CCIO/. He tweets at www.twitter.com/billschrier
Bill is a retired officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Bernie Matsuno was confirmed as director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods in August of 2011, after leaving retirement to serve as its interim director in February. She has had numerous leadership roles with the department since its inception in 1988 having served as the interim director in 2006 and deputy director in 2007. She also served as a division director from 2004-2006 and as the senior project manager of the Neighborhood Matching Fund Program. Previous to her tenure at Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Ms. Matsuno spent nine years as an SPD crime prevention specialist.
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Ms. Matsuno is responsible for carrying out the department's role of strengthening Seattle by actively engaging all communities. With nearly 70 staff and $10 million operating budget, she oversees the Neighborhood Matching Fund, Historic Preservation Program, P-Patch Community Gardening Program, Neighborhood Service Centers and Payment and Information Services, Neighborhood District Coordinators Program, Major Institutions and Schools Program, Neighborhood Planning Outreach and Engagement and the South Park Action Agenda.
Ms. Matsuno is a graduate of Seattle University with a Bachelor of Arts, Community Services and has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington.
The department's work affects many aspects of the city, from the structural elements of a house to the design of a new high-rise, from the amount of parking available for an apartment to the future of the Central Waterfront. We manage the long-term growth and development in Seattle, helping to achieve the City's Comprehensive Plan core values - community, economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. We help create and enforce more than a dozen codes. Each year we approve about 35,000 land use and construction-related permits and perform about 115,000 on-site inspections. The department also includes City Green Building, the Seattle Planning Commission and the Seattle Design Commission.
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Director Peter Hahn is responsible for carrying out the department's mission of delivering a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle's environment and economic vitality. The department has over 700 employees arrayed across eight divisions and an annual budget of $310 million for 2010. It builds, maintains and operates Seattle's $12 billion transportation infrastructure, and manages the short- and long-term investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees. Some of its major assets include: 147 bridges, 582 retaining walls and nearly 4,000 lane-miles of arterial and non-arterial streets.
Chief Gregory M. Dean has been a strong leader in the Seattle Fire Department for many years. He has helped build a successful partnership between the firefighters and the community throughout his 40 years of service to the City of Seattle. Under Chief Dean, the 1,155 member Department is organized into four divisions: Administration, Fire Prevention, Operations and Risk Management.
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Chief Dean entered the Department in 1970 as a Trainee Firefighter. He has risen through the ranks serving as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Chief. During his tenure in the Department, Chief Dean has also served in the following management positions: Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief of Administration, Deputy Chief of Personnel, and Deputy Chief of Support Services.
He was selected as Chief Officer of the Year for 2002. Mayor Paul Schell recognized his outstanding work in the Department as the Interim Fire Chief and proclaimed July 23, 2001 as Gregory Dean Day. In October of 2001, the Seattle Management Association named him Manager of the Year. In addition, he's been nominated numerous times for Seattle Works! Awards and received a Seattle Management Association Award in 2001.
He serves on the Washington State Fire Protection Policy Board, the Medic One Foundation Board, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee and is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Metro Division. He is also Vice President of the King County Fire Chiefs Association and a Board member of the Valley School.
Chief Dean was born and raised in Seattle and is a graduate of Franklin High School. He received his degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He has a daughter named Morgan.
Mayor McGinn appointed Dannette R. Smith, of Fairburn, Ga., as the new director of the Seattle Human Services Department on June 8. Smith was formerly director of the Fulton County (Georgia) Department of Family and Children Services, part of the State of Georgia Department of Human Services and the state's largest human services agency. In Georgia, she led a staff of 1,300 and managed an annual budget of $96 million. Previously, Ms. Smith served as director of human services agencies in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and Chicago. She received her B.S. degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
As director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, Julie Nelson leads the social justice mission of City government: to enforce anti-discrimination laws to remedy injustice for individuals and to create greater justice by tackling institutional racism and other forms of systemic inequity that underlie individual cases of bias. The Office for Civil Rights provides direct technical assistance to City departments and the private sector through community outreach and training and support to four commissions (Human Rights Commission; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Commission; Women's Commission; and the new Commission for People with Disabilities).
Julie has worked for the city of Seattle since 1988, with experience in Human Services, City Light, Public Utilities, and Executive Administration. She received her BA from the University of Arizona and her Masters degree in Economics from the University of Washington. Julie is the mother of two teenage boys.
Vincent E. Kitch is director of the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, which promotes the value of arts and culture throughout Seattle and works to ensure art and culture are a part of everyday life for Seattle residents and visitors.
Vincent oversees Seattle's annual investments of more than $2 million in over 300 Seattle artists and arts and cultural organizations and the City's internationally recognized public art program. The agency increases the visibility of arts and culture through a variety of programs, initiatives, partnerships and research activities. The department is also engaged in a partnership with Seattle Public Schools to ensure access to a quality arts education for all students and is working toward innovative public policies related to cultural space. A 16-member citizen volunteer Seattle Arts Commission supports the agency.
Vincent has been active in arts administration and cultural policy work for over 20 years. Previously, he served for seven years as Cultural Arts Program Manager for the City of Austin, Texas. Professionally trained in music, Vincent holds a Master of Music degree and bachelor's degrees in music business and trombone performance.
As Director of the Office of Economic Development, Steve Johnson shapes and guides the City's dynamic economic development agenda. This work includes attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses in Seattle; assisting businesses as they navigate government services; and investing in the development of a skilled workforce to meet the needs of industry and employers in a changing economy. Steve manages every aspect of OED's core services, which capitalize on Seattle's established economic strengths, particularly in the areas of manufacturing and maritime, global health and life sciences, film and music, and the emerging field of clean tech.
Acting Director of Seattle's Office of Housing, Rick Hooper guides the Office's core work in building strong, healthy communities by increasing opportunities for people of all income levels to live in Seattle. Four program areas provide funding for rental housing development, first-time homebuyer assistance and homeowner rehabilitation, weatherization assistance, and policy/program development. Staff administers the $145 million, 7 year Seattle Housing Levy, in addition to being a key player in the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Seattle's housing programs are nationally recognized for innovation and strong effective partnerships with community leaders and nonprofit organizations.
Jill Simmons is Director of the Seattle Office of Sustainability (OSE). Prior to becoming director, Jill served as OSE's climate protection program manager, working to implement the Seattle Climate Protection Initiative and overseeing completion of the City's greenhouse gas inventories. Before coming to OSE, Jill worked in the City's Finance Department as a fiscal and policy analyst. Jill has also worked on community development and sustainability initiatives as an associate program officer at the Northwest Area Foundation. Jill holds a Law Degree and Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Jill lives in Ballard with her husband, Eric, and son, Sam.
Christopher Williams has devoted his professional life to public service and is recognized both for his leadership and responsiveness to the public he serves. He currently serves as Acting Superintendent for Seattle Parks and Recreation. Christopher has served Seattle Parks in a variety of jobs and capacities during his 18 year tenure, from Safety Officer to Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff of Seattle Park. During this time Christopher has been responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the department. This includes overseeing the department Emergency Management Response Systems , Special Events, Human Resources, Finance, Aquarium, Recreation, Parks, and Planning and Development Divisions.
Seattle Parks has a $135million operating budget, 1200 employees, 416 parks, 26 community centers, 10 swimming pools, 28 miles of shoreline, 3,500 acres of developed park land and 3,500 acres of natural areas. The department is currently implementing a $146Million Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
The Chief of Police manages a department of over 1,900 employees with a budget greater than $242 million. The mission of the police department is to prevent crime, enforce the law and support quality public safety by delivering respectful, professional and dependable police services. Seattle remains one of the safest, large cities in the nation, having the 7th lowest rate of violent crime among the 25 largest cities and the 6th lowest rate of violent crime among the 23 cities of comparable size. Chief Diaz's role ensures a well run department that provides safety for the citizens of Seattle.
Seattle & King County
David W. Fleming, M.D., Director and Health Officer
(206) 296-4600
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David W. Fleming, M.D., is Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County, one of the largest metropolitan health departments in the country, with 1800 employees, 39 sites, and a budget of $306 million, serving a resident population of 1.9 million people. Department activities include core prevention programs, environmental health, community-oriented primary care, emergency medical services, correctional health services, Public Health preparedness, and community-based public health assessment and practices. Prior to assuming this role, David directed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Health Strategies Program. He has also served as the Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ray Hoffman serves as Director of Seattle Public Utilities, which has four business lines that provide reliable, efficient, and environmentally conscious services. They include solid waste, sewage, and drainage for Seattle residents and businesses, and drinking water for 1.3 million regional customers both in Seattle and the 26 municipalities and water districts also served by SPU. Ray's responsibilities involve management of the utilities' $800 million annual budget and bond funds, as well as conservation of the city's watersheds and compliance with federal and state laws related to water quality and other environmental issues.
Reporting directly to the Mayor and serving as a member of the Mayor's cabinet this position manages all operations of the region's most popular public facility, hosting more than 12 million visits per annum. Robert develops and administers an annual $34 million operating budget and $3 million capital budget, and directs a staff of over 1,000 regular and intermittent employees that include represented members of 12 bargaining units and non-represented professionals. He works to create successful relationships with tenants, clients and the public at large to promote thriving resident organizations, an engaged community, fiscal strength, a safe and accessible Campus, and transparent and accountable business practices.