Year: 2024

I stopped by yesterday’s Career Fair, and I left in such an upbeat, positive mood! The Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup was the perfect setting for this year’s hiring event – it was buzzing with eager job seekers and enthusiastic County employees. The Career Fairs held in previous years have been great events, but this year’s Fair took it to a whole new level!  Nearly 200 people came to the Fair. They were joined by a photographer taking pictures for updated resumes, staff members holding on-the-spot interviews and several key coworkers available to provide attendees even more ways to find their new job. In addition, nine community partners hosted tables, including the Puyallup and Nisqually tribes, WorkSource, Goodwill, Tacoma Community House and MultiCare.  An impressive 19 Pierce County divisions and departments…

Time and time again in my life I have seen the power of a fresh perspective in confronting a problem or opportunity.  Asking “Why do we do it this way?” or “Have we ever considered this approach?” can be powerful catalysts for innovation.  “Out of the box” (or “out of the County?”) thinking can really help those of us “in the box” improve our service, results, and productivity.  That is why at New Employee Orientation I tell our newest employees that I especially value their perspective on a new situation or task. Fresh eyes and experiences from outside our “box” can help us innovate! Her dynamic, proven leadership AND fresh perspective were key reasons why Mayor Victoria Woodards and I appointed Chantell Harmon Reed as the new Director of Public…

Every time I watch the news, we are confronted by stories about crime in our region.  And often those crimes are fueled by addiction - which is ravaging peoples’ lives.  Sadly, we rarely hear the stories of those who have taken back their lives and embarked on a new and better path, for both them and our community. Rarely does this transformation happen without significant help from others. I got to see some of this amazing work firsthand a few days ago.  And, it was right across Tacoma Avenue from the County-City Building! Our District Court Resource Center is in a small office building, but it accomplishes big changes in the lives of some of their clients.  I love Dom Hardeman’s passion for the Resource Center’s work.  And Judge Kevin McCann…

Today, we are releasing our fourth Annual DEI Report.  It reflects the work many of you are doing to provide opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential. I’m proud of the progress we have made.  For example, since 2017 we’ve significantly broadened opportunities in management, hired more women and veterans, and our workforce better reflects the community we serve.  These accomplishments are due, in part, to important and smart updates we’ve made in our hiring practices. Measuring our success is important but numbers don’t tell the whole story.  That’s why the report includes some written and video profiles of people and groups serving our community in all facets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The full report, including videos, may be viewed by clicking on the front cover image below:…

When we talk about various commemorative “months” or “days” we raise awareness of those who came before us. We do this to remember those who overcame great challenges and to celebrate their achievements - and sometimes - their cultural heritage.  These stories inspire us and help us think beyond ourselves. The month of February is celebrated as Black History Month, and much deserved attention will be focused on Black and African American achievers in our past. Some will talk about the courageous leadership and powerful voice of Frederick Douglass and his role in ending slavery.  Others will remember the courage and skill of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group (Tuskegee Airmen), who despite a racially segregated US Army Air Force in World War II, fought bravely over the skies…

I’ve always said that we work with amazing people, and I recently learned about another extraordinary County employee. During the day, Kyra (O'Keefe) Smithlin is an Accounting Assistant II with the Finance Department.  But the rest of her time is devoted to the American Heart Association.  Once you hear her story you’ll understand why. https://vimeo.com/906482669/b388f73aec Today is Go Red for Women Day and as the new national ambassador Kyra appeared on the TODAY Show live in the NYC studio earlier today.  Kyra was selected from thousands of applicants, and she almost didn’t even submit her name for consideration! You can see a clip of her time on the TODAY Show with Al Roker and team here. Kyra has been busy over the last decade speaking with local groups at places…

The first major cold snap is behind us and for the most part we escaped significant snowfall in the lowlands.  But the sustained cold did wreak some havoc - did you hear about the frozen then broken fire sprinkler in Woodland Elementary?  The flooding did significant damage.  How did you fare?  I have a minor broken pipe to deal with, but our power stayed on, and we were warm when the temperatures took a nosedive. But we have remarkable people working alongside us at Pierce County, doing critically important work to help our community weather the freezing temperatures. Our Human Services Energy Team helps keep lights on and heat flowing for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Their work is important year-round, but especially significant in the…

Did you know our own Pierce County’s Medical Examiner (ME) Office turns 40 years old in a couple of days? The office was established back on January 21, 1984, when Pierce County converted from the elected coroner model to a professional medical examiner. You did not need any specific experience to be elected as the coroner, but today our Medical Examiner is a licensed medical doctor with a specialty in forensic pathology. A lot has changed since the ME’s office began its operations four decades ago.  Luckily, there are still “historical artifacts” that have been retained, including old logbooks from the coroner days of 70’s (in cursive!), case information typed on index cards, and statistics reports printed with dot-matrix printer graphics!  Today, the team of highly skilled professionals (including two…

Welcome to 2024!  We have a lot of work to do this year and I’m eager to start! Beginning a new year can often feel like a fresh start. It can be a time of reflection and recalibration – both in our work lives and our personal lives.  I set my goals and major plans for the year.  And judging by the packed parking lots at local gyms (at least for a few weeks), I am not alone! (I also always read humorist Dave Barry’s review of the previous year.  If you do too, here’s to Dottie in 2024!) For example, I enjoy the new energy that I see and experience each time I participate in New Employee Orientation. Our newest colleagues are happy to be with us and filled…