Crossposted from DES Express

Caroline Whalen, director of the Department of Executive Services since 2010, retires next month after 29 years at King County. Her last day in the office will be Sept. 8.

“Working for King County was the best career decision I’ve made,” Whalen said.

During her county career, she has written land use code, organized massive rezone mailings along with an associated call center, analyzed legislation, and served as a lead staff for the County Council. She worked her way up to deputy director in the former Department of Development and Environmental Services, then joined DES as deputy director in 2002 before becoming director in 2010. Read more.