King County Executive Dow Constantine today appointed Leon Richardson as the new director of the Department of Local Services, selecting a proven leader with operational excellence and strategic vision to lead the department that serves as the local government for the unincorporated areas.

Richardson will begin his new position on July 22, and his appointment is subject to confirmation by the King County Council. Interim Director Danielle de Clercq will continue to serve as the department’s deputy director.

“Leon Richardson brings a wealth of experience convening and leading people to strive toward common goals, as is evident from his exceptional work at the helm of the Adult Services Division of the Department of Community and Human Services. Now he will lead King County Local Services into its next phase, connecting the quarter-million residents of our unincorporated jurisdiction to their local government,” said Executive Constantine. “Unincorporated King County is diverse in every imaginable way, but the people all share a goal – making their communities great places to live, work, play, and learn, and Leon understands that. I congratulate Director Richardson on his new role, and I am excited for the department as it begins this new chapter.”

“I am deeply honored by this opportunity to serve as the director of King County Local Services,” said Richardson. “Leading such a dynamic and innovative organization is a dream come true. I am grateful for the trust and confidence from Executive Constantine and look forward to working with the Local Services team to serve the community. I’m excited to continue the amazing work this team has been doing to push boundaries, foster creativity, and make a lasting impact. I am especially eager to partner with community to ensure that our work is responsive to the needs of unincorporated King County.”

Richardson began his tenure with King County in 2019 as deputy director of the Adult Services Division in the Department of Community and Human Services. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he oversaw the formation of three regional assessment and recovery centers to reduce the strain on hospitals, help keep first responders safe, and offer services in multiple languages to serve all of the community. This work required extensive coordination, establishing and using cross-functional partnerships, all in just two weeks.

In 2021, Richardson – as director of the Adult Services Division – oversaw the renewal of the six-year, $550 million Veteran, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. He also led a $400 million eviction prevention and rent assistance program. Both programs required strategic planning, organization, delicate discussions, and strategic vision.

Before his time at King County, Richardson served in the U.S. Army, where he created and implemented a robust plan to bring humanitarian aid to East Africa.

In his new role, Richardson will lead the county’s newest department, which began operations in 2019. Local Services has 550 employees and serves as a “city hall” for residents and businesses in unincorporated King County, connecting them to their local government services. Covered areas include Skyway, White Center, the Snoqualmie Valley, Greater Maple Valley, the Enumclaw Plateau, and Vashon Island.

The department has two divisions: Road Services, which is responsible for 1,500 miles of county roads, bridges, and traffic signals, and the Permitting Division, which issues land use decisions as well as residential and business permits. Local Services also manages programs that directly help communities, including the annual Alan M. Painter Grants and the Community Service Areas, Subarea Planning, Participatory Budgeting, Economic Development, and Community Needs List programs.