A short interview with Ben Lesh, KCIT Applications Developer Master
This article is featured courtesy of Jamie Holter, Communications Manager, Department of Information Technology Ben Lesh has been with KCIT for about 10 years. He came from a career in the private sector designing and building custom Learning Management and Content Management systems for Fortune 500 companies. He chose King County IT because he wanted to serve his community and be a part of a larger organization tackling difficult IT problems. Ben has carved out a bit of a niche for himself as a go-to person for new IT stuff. He even… Read More
From the Hip: John Starbard, Director, Department of Permitting and Environmental Review
On-line, not in line The Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (“Permitting”), like all County agencies, has been on a years-long journey of continuous improvement. This year, we will be expanding some service enhancements that we launched last year so that nearly every applicant can gain the benefits of easier application. Those enhancements are: 1) adding more permit types that will be available for on-line permitting, and 2) offering credit card payments in the office and on-line. Last March, we launched on-line permitting for a select family of our easiest permits: residential… Read More
TEDx Seattle Talk featuring King County Superior Court Judge Wesley Saint Clair
As a Chief Justice in the juvenile court system, Wesley Saint Clair has come to believe the system is is better at sentencing people than reducing crime. He asks that we rely less on the power of the justice system, and more on human connection with Restorative Practices as a solution. View the TEDx Seattle Talk in the video below or view all TED talks here.
Beyond the Call of Duty
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories With over 20 years in the water quality industry, Suzanne Potts, process laboratory specialist, has garnered the reputation of going “beyond the call of duty.” From mentoring new staff to being the go-to person for key projects like a Laboratory Information Management System update, she’s recognized as a role model not only for the laboratory, but for the entire utility. This is apparent by a recent award she received after being nominated by five of her co-workers. “She keeps me on my toes. Sometimes when I just… Read More
New DOT Communications Manager has seen the battlefield and the Beltway
Crossposted from Inside Transportation The new Communications Manager for King County DOT is a self-described “military brat,” who has just retired from a remarkable career in which he helped legitimize the government of Afghanistan, advised a Presidential appointee at the Pentagon, and spoke for the Army on the integration of women into combat duty. Jerome Pionk was born in Seoul, Korea, to a Korean mother and an American combat engineer. Over his 22-year military career he held a variety of leadership and staff positions around the world, and since 2004 served as an Army spokesman… Read More
Megan Pedersen appointed Director of Office of Labor Relations
On Monday, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the appointment of Megan Pedersen as Director of the King County Office of Labor Relations (OLR), Megan has been the Interim Director of OLR since January 2016 where she helped lead the County to its first ever total compensation agreement with the County’s Coalition of Unions, establishing wages and health benefits for 2017-18, while developing a Total Compensation strategic framework for all bargaining in the County. Prior to overseeing the Office of Labor Relations, Megan was the Deputy Director of the King County Records… Read More
Two public defenders become fellows in University of Washington Leadership Institute
Crossposted from For The Defense Both Sadé Smith and Matthew Sanders became public defenders because they knew it was in the courtroom – fighting on behalf of people who are often marginalized and disempowered – where they could make the biggest difference. Now, they’re going to get the opportunity to take these values and aspirations to the next level. Smith and Sanders, both attorneys at the King County Department of Public Defense, were selected as two of 12 fellows for the 2017 Washington Leadership Institute (WLI), a program co-sponsored by the University of Washington School of Law… Read More
From the Hip: Julie Wise, Director of Elections
Why you shouldn’t only vote this November I know for many of you it feels like this election has been going on forever, but here at King County Elections we’ve actually been preparing for years. For this election we will – Process about 100,000 additional voter registrations Send out nearly 1.3 million ballots to King County voters Field more than 27,000 phone calls from voters Count more than a million ballots At our headquarters in Renton we’ll have countless tour groups, party observers and media visitors. On Election Day, we’ll have more… Read More
Executive Constantine names new GM for Metro, the nation’s 10th largest transit service
In naming interim Metro General Manager Rob Gannon to the permanent position, King County Executive Dow Constantine selected a leader with experience at Metro as well as Amazon.com and the University of Montana. Gannon, 47, served as Interim General Manager from March 2016 until now. He was Metro Deputy General Manager from 2013-2016, and Human Resources Manager for the King County Department of Transportation from 2011-2013. He previously oversaw budget and labor relations at the University of Montana. “As our region grows and becomes ever more reliant on fast, efficient transit, Rob… Read More
Five questions with Kara Hannigan, Training and Organizational Development Manager, Human Resources Division
Why did you start as a Training and Organizational Development Manager with King County? I’ve worked in learning and leadership development for many years across different sectors. Initially as a high school teacher, then training librarians and patrons to use computer applications and the Internet while working for The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and most recently, at Starbucks leading management and leadership development. What I love about learning and development is that, in an organization that cares about its employees and makes learning a priority, you can really make a difference…. Read More
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