Danotra McBride receives 2023 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the winners of the 2023 Best-Run Government Awards on May 9, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation. In a surprise ceremony, Executive Constantine announced that Danotra McBride, Director of Jail Health Services, was the winner of the 2023 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, the awards’ highest honor. The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award – named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County –… Read More
May is Mental Health Month at King County
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer May is Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to prioritizing our well-being and promoting open conversations about mental health. At King County, we recognize the importance of mental health to our overall health and well-being and we champion each other in support and recovery. We know the impact mental health challenges have on our personal and professional lives. It’s real. And many of us feel these challenges, either personally, or with our loved ones, every single day. This year’s theme from Mental Health America, “Where to… Read More
Executive Constantine thanks Department of Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor for his leadership on transformative investments for the people of King County as he accepts a role outside government
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) director Leo Flor will be departing King County service this month for a role outside of government. Kelly Rider, currently serving as the department’s chief of staff, will become interim director following Flor’s departure on Feb. 27. Flor joined King County in 2017 to lead the renewal and expansion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). In 2018, Executive Constantine appointed Flor to serve as DCHS Director. DCHS is a 580-person department that invests in services for older adults, behavioral health treatment,… Read More
Thanking our local veterans for their service
Dear fellow King County employee, For more than a century, our nation has dedicated November 11 as the day to recognize the brave members of our country’s armed forces, past and present. They placed their own lives at risk to defend freedom here at home and around the world. Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor and thank them for their service. King County is home to some 115,000 veterans of all ages. Almost 1,200 of our King County colleagues are veterans, working alongside us in every department and every branch of… Read More
Christie True – Executive Constantine’s longest-serving department director – retiring after 39 years of service at Department of Natural Resources and Parks
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the retirement of Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True – the longest-serving department director on his Cabinet – after a 39-year career at the agency. Executive Constantine credited True for reinforcing King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward by producing climate solutions, protecting water quality, restoring habitat, conserving open space, and improving access to parks and trails. The Executive Office will conduct a nationwide recruitment for one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country. “Since I appointed her Director… Read More
Celebrating 2023 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In October King County celebrates the contributions made by people with disabilities, and how disabilities, both visible and non-apparent, enhance our workforce, our communities, and our country. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci honored the contributions of individuals with disabilities by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). On Oct. 10, during hybrid King County Council meeting, Councilmember Claudia Balducci read the proclamation and provided additional personal insights. Thank you to the King County Council for recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month as a time to honor the invaluable contributions of… Read More
King County Sheriff’s Office welcomes new deputies
King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) recently welcomed the newest members to the team after completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). To become a Sheriff’s deputy, you must complete 720 hours of BLEA training within six months of hire. The 720-hour BLEA is designed to provide recruit officers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe, proper, and effective law enforcement service. King County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams attended the graduating ceremony for the BLEA to recognize the newest King County graduates, including one she knows very well –… Read More
My proposed one-year supplemental budget
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I transmitted to the County Council the mid-biennial budget proposal, which revises the County’s 2023-2024 budget that was adopted last fall. This is the first step in a two-month public process, leading to Council adoption in November of a final County budget. As I shared back in April, the county’s general fund is facing a significant shortfall due to the state’s arbitrary and outdated one percent limit on property tax collections – the largest source of revenue for the general fund. This cap, combined with rising inflation and increased costs,… Read More
Chief People Officer featured in blog on transformation of primary care
Crossposted from Balanced You King County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams was featured in a Washington Health Alliance blog post about efforts to transform primary care in Washington State. The article highlights a public/private partnership involving some of the state’s largest employers which aims to build a more effective primary care system for residents and providers. Read more.
A ‘New Energy’ arrives as Executive Constantine unveils new colors for Metro’s electric fleet
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Dow Constantine unveiled one of Metro’s next-generation battery-electric buses wrapped in the new colors of the fleet today at Metro’s South Base. Called “The New Energy,” the livery design is a mix of electric yellow and seafoam blue, is a visual representation of Metro’s commitment to helping combat climate change and will be outfitted on all the new vehicles joining the fleet. Along with Executive Constantine, Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and Teague Livery Design Manager Katie Ryan, helped unveil… Read More
Employee News 