New City Administrator

New Administrator Rolls Up Her Sleeves

BY HEATHER THOMAS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR

It’s been a few weeks since I joined the City and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the dedicated staff and councilmembers working hard every day to serve you. I look forward to meeting many of you moving forward. In the meantime, here’s a little bit about me.

I love working in local government.

This is a role that I’ve been working towards for almost 20 years when I started a job in the Engineering Division at the City of Oceanside in California. That’s where I found my passion for the public sector and serving my community. This isn’t just a job for me; the work fulfills me.

Finding creative solutions energizes me.

I like to listen and learn so that I can find where gaps or bottlenecks happen. That’s where my idea for www. SnohomishOverdosePrevention.com was borne. Or hearing frustrations from staff that they couldn’t do adult fatality reviews for suicide and overdose deaths like they’ve done for child death reviews because of the RCW. Last month, after three years of hard work, SHB 1074 was unanimously approved by the legislature. I look forward to using my creative problem solving skills here in Snohomish.

This community is important to me.

Nearly 30 years ago, my parents made the decision to move us from Anchorage, Alaska to Snohomish. This is where I met my husband of 20+ years and some of my dearest friends. My parents still live here and my family lives near Seattle Hill Rd. Our three kids (9, 13 and 15) have grown up enjoying many of the amazing things that this City has to offer. To take on this role in a community that has played such a big part of our lives is really a dream come true moment.

I hope you all see this as an exciting opportunity as well. Rarely is a city able to hire an administrator that knows the community. I am deeply vested, both personally and To take on this role in professionally, in bringing out the a community that has best for the staff, the council, and played such a big part of the businesses and our lives is really a dream residents that we serve. come true moment. You have my heartfelt commitment to supporting you and the staff in moving the City of Snohomish forward so that we’re ready for future opportunities.

INSTAGRAM: @SNOHO.MOJO