Pierce County Executive

10Feb 2017 by kschmi4

A baby changes everything

Executive

I vividly remember when my three sons were born. Each experience was as unique as they are. But I’m not sure there is a way to adequately describe the instant transformation that happens when you hold your grandchild for the first time! Our newest addition and her family reside here in Pierce County. As I think about the work we’re doing to make our County a great place to live, work and play, I now have an additional powerful motivation. That is, to ensure Blair and her generation have everything they need: great schools, good family-wage jobs, affordable housing, strong healthcare, beautiful spaces to play and exercise, and most of all, safe neighborhoods to call home. I’m grateful to be doing that work with you. Our amazing road crews have done…

03Feb 2017 by kschmi4

The power of relationships – building and maintaining them!

Executive

I continue to spend a lot of my time getting out around the County and visiting with our employees. I enjoy learning about the work people are doing and understanding the breadth of service for our citizens. Since my last post, I have been to the STOP facility, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Information Technology, the Deputy Sheriff’s Independent Guild, and will spend this afternoon at Remann Hall. As an engineer, I readily admit that I am a bit of a wonk when it comes to machines and technology so it wouldn’t surprise you to know that visiting the Wastewater Treatment Plant was particularly interesting. I'm grateful to Sharon Surra and Amanda Summers from Public Works for the fascinating tour. The recent upgrade to the plant is remarkable, both the treatment processes and the…

27Jan 2017 by kschmi4

Establishing our leadership team

Executive, Weekly Post

Having completed a thorough review of the County's management structure and personnel, I am pleased to announce our management team and a refined structure that will be more efficient, productive and accountable. Brian Ziegler has chosen to retire after many years of service to Pierce County. In light of this, Planning and Land Services will be combined with Public Works to form Planning and Public Works. Dennis Hanberg will be the director. Information Technology will merge into Budget and Finance. Gary Robinson will be the director of that group, now known as the Finance department. The group also includes Risk Management. As a result, Linda Gerull is leaving the County and a search for a risk manager is underway following the retirement of Mark Maenhout. Tony Tipton will be a…

20Jan 2017 by kschmi4

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Executive

My week started out powerfully with the celebration of MLK Day. I had the honor of speaking to those attending the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday in Tacoma on Monday. The County was well-represented at the celebration as our own Carol Mitchell served as the emcee. I had prepared some remarks for the celebration that were tied to the event’s theme, Beloved Community, but after watching a powerful movie the day before I decided to change my comments. Last weekend I watched “Hidden Figures.” The movie is a true story and based on a little-known group of brilliant African American women who supported the NASA space flights in the 1960s. Their math and science skills directly led to the successful rocket launches and landings during the heyday…

13Jan 2017 by admin

Learning and listening at Pierce County

Weekly Post

Welcome to my new blog! With a new year and a new role in public service comes a new way to stay in touch. I am heading into my third week as County Executive and I’m more excited than ever to lead a fantastic group of employees as we serve our residents. My focus the last two weeks has been on learning as much as possible about County operations. The breadth of the services we provide to our communities – not to mention the sheer size of the County in miles – is impressive. I’m getting out to work groups and trying to meet as many County employees as possible. It may take a while but I’m committed to hearing what’s working and learning ways to more efficiently and effectively…

02Jan 2017 by Kyle Schmidtke

New Executive Team Appointments

Executive

Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier has built his executive team with a focus on ensuring a wide variety of perspectives are heard and constituencies are represented. To that end, earlier today he announced the following appointments to his executive team: Dan Grimm, Chief Operating Officer. Grimm has extensive management experience in both the private and public sectors. He represented the Puyallup, Wash. area in the state House of Representatives for twelve years from 1977 – 1989. As chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, Grimm was the driving force behind state funding of the Union Station restoration, construction of the Washington State History Museum, the University of Washington Tacoma campus, the Puyallup campus of Pierce College and the state's role in the Puyallup tribal land claims settlement. Grimm was elected…