DOWNTOWN SEATTLE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Chairman & CEO / Clise Properties, Inc
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- Member of the Officers Team
- Treasurer
- Senior Vice President at Seattle
Aaron Blankers has served as senior vice president at Seattle-based Washington Holdings since December 2023 and has been with the company for more than 15 years. With extensive real estate experience, Aaron brings expertise and leadership in property management, renovation projects, construction management, operations consulting and capital planning.
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- Member of the Board
- Vice President / Vulcan Inc.
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Senior Vice President / GAW Capital
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- Member of the Executive Team
- Executive Director of Commute Seattle
Alex Hudson is Executive Director of Commute Seattle. Alex brings more than nine years of experience as a nonprofit leader, having previously served as the executive director at Transportation Choices Coalition and the First Hill Improvement Association. A widely respected civic leader, Alex also serves on the boards of Bellwether Housing and the Freeway Park Association.
Alex is a lifelong resident of King County who has proudly called First Hill home for more than 15 years. Her car-free family includes her partner, a teenager at Garfield High School (Go Bulldogs!), an elderly cat, and a jungle of houseplants. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading books from the library and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest on transit and by bike.
Job Titles:
- General Manager for Perform Properties' U.S. Bank Center
- Ratepayer Advisory Board Chair
Amy Baker serves as the general manager for Perform Properties' U.S. Bank Center office asset in Seattle, formerly managed under the EQ Office brand. In this leadership role, Amy oversees property operations, tenant engagement and strategic planning for one of Seattle's premier Class A+ office buildings.
With roots in the EQ Office tradition and now part of the newly united Perform Properties platform - formed through the rebranding of ShopCore Properties, ROIC and EQ Office - Amy brings continuity and expertise during this period of growth and transition.
Amy is based in Seattle and holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to enhancing tenant experiences through operational excellence and community-driven amenities.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
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- Member of the Board
- President / Wright Runstad & Company
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- Founder
- Member of the Board
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- Senior Research Specialist
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- Education and Outreach Specialist, Commute Seattle
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- Program Manager, Commute Seattle
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
Bell Street Park stretches along four city blocks in downtown's Belltown neighborhood. Extra-wide sidewalks host flowers, chairs, landscaping and activities, including live music, food trucks, games and more. DSA/MID provides staffing for Bell Street Park.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Partner
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
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- Chairman of the Emeritus Board
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- Senior Manager, Community Safety & Hospitality Program
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- Director, Community Safety & Hospitality
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- Member of the Board
- Executive Director / Greater Seattle Partners
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Vice President Operations West / Marriott International
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- Member of the Board
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Owner
- Partner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Chris Copacino joined the Downtown Seattle Association as vice president of communications and marketing in September 2025. A Seattle native, Chris brings more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience, having worked with some of the region's most recognizable brands, including REI, the Seattle Mariners, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. His work spans both consumer-facing and business-to-business sectors, with clients such as MultiCare Health System, Pinnacle Fertility Washington (formerly Seattle Reproductive Medicine), City University of Seattle, the Washington Forest Protection Association and Symetra, to name a few.
Before joining DSA, Chris was a senior leader at local ad agency Copacino Fujikado, where the team worked closely with DSA over the years on initiatives such as the Love, SeaTown campaign, which enticed locals to return to the downtown core. His deep familiarity with DSA's mission and his history of driving successful marketing strategies make him a perfect fit to help lead the organization's communications efforts as downtown Seattle continues to thrive and grow.
Chris is passionate about using storytelling to drive engagement and stakeholder value. He is focused on leveraging both existing and new communication channels, including digital platforms such as the upcoming IKE kiosks to connect with DSA's members and the broader community.
Outside of work, Chris is an avid supporter of Seattle sports, especially the Mariners, and he enjoys exploring downtown's many attractions, from dining at local favorites like The Pink Door to strolling along the waterfront and Pike Place Market.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Shareholder
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- Events & Programming Specialist
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Founding Partner / GEM Real Estate
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- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- Owner
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Property Manager / Hines
Job Titles:
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Owner
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- Senior Communications Specialist
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- Member of the Board
- President & COO / Clise Properties, Inc.
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- Member of the Board
- Executive Director / Chief Seattle Club
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- General Counsel
- Member of the Officers Team
- Chairman of the Immigration Practice Group at Ballard Spahr
Dustin O'Quinn is the chair of the Immigration Practice Group at Ballard Spahr. He counsels in the technology, energy, design and financial sectors on a wide array of U.S. immigration issues. Dustin also develops immigration programs for startup companies in the tech sector, counseling clients on corporate structure, funding and investor relations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Vice President Investments
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- Member of the Board
- President / Seattle University
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- Transportation Specialist, Commute Seattle
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
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- Member of the Board
- Senior Vice President & Chief Research Operations Officer / Seattle Children 's Research Institute
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- Director, Marketing & Creative Services
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- Senior Specialist, Events & Programming
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- President of the Emeritus Board
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Board
- Partner / Pacifica Law Group
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Director of Resource Development / Recovery Café
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- Executive Director
- Member of the Board
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- Director, Membership & Strategic Partnerships
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Principal / Rona Consulting Group
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- Member of the Board
- Partner / McCullough Hill Leary, PS
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- Director, Media Relations and Issues Management
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Attorney at Law / Nelson & Nelson PLLC
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- Member of the Board
- Senior Manager of Public Policy / Amazon
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Senior Manager Investigations - Asset Protection
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Senior Vice President, Property Management & General Manager / Wright Runstad & Company
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Public Realm
Jenn Casillas is the Vice President of Public Realm & Ambassador Operations at the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA). With more than 10 years at DSA, Jenn leads a talented team focused on staffing, activating, and programming downtown parks and public spaces. She has played a pivotal role in growing the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) program, expanding its reach and deepening its positive impact across the public realm.
Passionate about vibrant urban environments, Jenn thrives on the creativity and collaboration involved in bringing life and energy to downtown. Carrying out DSA's mission to create a healthy, welcoming, and dynamic city core is at the heart of her work.
Before joining DSA, Jenn served as Assistant Director of University Services at Seattle Pacific University. Earlier in her career, she held a variety of roles in business development, marketing, event planning and operations that helped shape her well-rounded and collaborative approach to leadership.
Jenn earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and holds a Master of Science in Communications from Ithaca College in New York. A native Seattleite, Jenn enjoys getting outside in nature and the urban environment including running along the shores of Alki Beach, urban hikes in various neighborhoods, skiing at nearby mountains and spending time and with family and friends. She stays active with her two teenagers and volunteers her time with organizations like Westside Baby and Northwest Hope & Healing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Executive Team
- VP, Public Realm & Ambassador Operations
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Executive Managing Director
- Member of the Board
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- Senior Specialist, Accounting
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Executive Team
- President
- President & CEO, DSA
Jon Scholes is president & CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association where he is responsible for the operations and programs of the DSA, an 1,100-member association formed in 1958 to create a healthy, vibrant downtown for all. In this capacity, Jon is also responsible for the management of the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID), which was established by property owners and the City of Seattle in 1999 to provide cleaning, safety, transportation, marketing and public-realm management services across 300 square blocks in downtown.
He was appointed president and CEO of DSA in November of 2014 following six years as DSA's vice president of advocacy and economic development. He has led the growth and expansion of the organization's services, advocacy agenda and revitalization of downtown Seattle. Today, DSA is one of the three largest downtown organizations in North America as measured by total annual revenue and staff. Jon has spent 25 years working in nonprofit advocacy, public affairs, local government, and in senior positions on political campaigns at the regional and state levels.
Jon serves on the boards of Visit Seattle, the International Downtown Association, Town Hall, and Downtown Emergency Services Center and has served on a number of city and county task forces focused on transportation, homelessness and housing. He was recognized in 2016 as a "40 Under 40" honoree by the Puget Sound Business Journal and named one of Seattle's most influential people by Seattle Magazine in 2021. He is the host of Seattle City Makers, a podcast launched in 2022 featuring conversations with a cross section of leaders shaping the city.
Jon is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow and attended the University of Texas in Austin before graduating from the University of Washington. He lives in downtown Seattle with his wife and their 16-year-old twins.
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Manager, Clean Team
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Chairman / Joshua Green Corporation
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Director / Wright Runstad & Company
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- Senior Communications Specialist
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- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the Board
- Immediate past Chair / Clise Properties, Inc
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- Senior Specialist, Visual Designer & Web
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
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- Senior Membership Specialist
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Asset Manager / Amazon
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Board
- Principal
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- Member of the Board
- Principal / Dunn Hobbes, LLC
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- General Manager - Seattle Met Park
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- Member of the Board
- President & CEO / YMCA
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- Chairman
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice President
- DSA Board Chair
Mari Horita is vice president of community engagement & social impact for the Seattle Kraken and executive director of the Seattle Kraken's charitable foundation. Mari leads philanthropic strategy for the Kraken and is charged with implementing the organization's social impact and community engagement strategy and objectives. Prior to joining the Seattle Kraken, Mari was president and CEO of ArtsFund.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Western Regional Executive / Zurich
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- President / Martin Smith, Inc
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- Executive Vice President
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the Board
- President / the Vance Corp.
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- Investor
- Member of the Emeritus Board
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- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Executive Team
- the New Chief Operating Officer
Matt Gurney joined the Downtown Seattle Association as the new chief operating officer, beginning May 12. In this role, Matt oversees DSA's financial, human resources, regulatory and administrative functions.
Matt brings a deep commitment to social impact, extensive leadership experience and a strong connection to the city. He has called Seattle home since 1995, and has a deep love for place. DSA's mission and the work done through the Metropolitan Improvement District resonates with him - especially the commitment to creating opportunities for all and supporting a thriving downtown.
Matt has spent much of his career in the social enterprise and nonprofit space. He served more than 20 years at FareStart in downtown Seattle, where he held senior leadership roles including VP of social enterprise and chief innovation officer. Most recently, he served as CEO of Fort Worden Hospitality. His roots in community impact go back to his first venture, Habitat Espresso, a Capitol Hill coffee house and social enterprise that developed the idea for a barista training program for homeless youth, which eventually became part of FareStart.
He looks forward to bringing his experiences in leadership, social enterprise and business administration to DSA. Matt's goal is to "help maximize the impact of services for our ratepayers, the broader community and dedicated staff."
Outside of work, Matt enjoys playing soccer, watching the Sounders, and backpacking and hiking all over Washington state.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the Board
- VP Government Affairs / Alaska Airlines
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- General Counsel
- Member of the Board
- Senior Vice President
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- Ambassador Resource Specialist
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the Board
- President / Urban League of Seattle
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Advisory Board Members
- Ratepayer Advisory Board Chair
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- Principal / Mike Flynn & Associates
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- Director, Human Resources
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Senior Property Manager
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- Director, Public Realm Operations
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- CEO / Urban Renaissance Group LLC
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- Member of the Board
- Principal / ZGF Architects LLP
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- Member of the Board
- Vice President of Operations / Mortenson Construction
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- Member of the Board
- Vice President / Chief Compliance Officer / Weyerhaeuser
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- General Manager, Seattle Central Business District Denver / Urban Renaissance Group
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
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- Transportation Specialist, Commute Seattle
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- Director, Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Board
- Director of Regional & Community Relations / University of Washington
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- CEO
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice Chair
- CEO of Sellen
Scott Redman is the CEO of Sellen, a Seattle-based commercial builder known for delivering high-quality projects for the region's tech, science, arts, health care and hospitality leaders. After beginning with Sellen as a part-timer in high school, Scott joined on a full-time basis in 1992. He served as president for more than 10 years before taking over as CEO in June 2018. Scott believes in the power of connecting people and fostering partnerships through community.
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- Member of the Board
- CEO / Seattle Art Museum
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- Manager, Urban Planning & Design
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- Member of the Board
- Managing Partner / Urban Renaissance Group
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Founder
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- President / Koehler & Co.
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Director, Portfolio Management / Vulcan, Inc.
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- Director, Cleaning Services
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- Member of the Officers Team
- Governance Chair
Sung Yang has more than two decades of experience managing public policy issues, legislative advocacy, communications, political campaigns, crisis management, coalition building, and public opinion research. As a principal with Pacific Public Affairs, Sung advises clients as they seek to successfully navigate complex government processes and public issues. Prior to joining Pacific Public Affairs, Sung was deputy King County executive and chief of staff for King County Executive Dow Constantine, where he oversaw all of the Executive's staff and priority issues. In this role, Sung directed policy development, economic development, regional planning, communications, external and government relations, and the climate change team.
Job Titles:
- Communications Director, Commute Seattle
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Senior Director, Research Facilities / Seattle Children 's Research Institute
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- Director of Public Affairs
- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
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- Member of the Board
- Regional President / WaFd Bank
Tom Wolf - Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Board
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- Member of the MID Ratepayer Advisory Board
- Downtown Resident
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- Senior Manager, Public Realm Operations
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- Events & Communications Specialist, Commute Seattle
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- Member of the Emeritus Board
- President / Coastal Hotel Group
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- Member of the Board
- Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Hotel Operations / R.C. Hedreen Co.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Commute Seattle