Bissonnette to retire as director of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks- King County

June 15, 2007

Bissonnette to retire as director of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Pam Bissonnette, who has led the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) to regional and national prominence for its work on water quality, salmon recovery, waste to resources and flood protection, is retiring after a 30 year career in government. Bissonnette has served as DNRP's only director, having led the merger of Metro wastewater services with King County utility services to create the new department 11 years ago. Her last day as director will be July 16.

King County Executive Ron Sims has appointed Solid Waste Division Director Theresa Jennings to serve as acting DNRP director.

"I have no doubt that this region's environment, the quality of life of our residents and the performance of King County government is improved because of the boundless passion, energy and integrity of Pam Bissonnette," said Sims. "Under her leadership DNRP divisions have created model programs that have helped other governments across the state and across the nation.

"She has been an incredible asset to King County and a good friend to me," Sims said. "I wish her an enjoyable retirement."

Bissonnette's distinguished career with King County began in 1996 when she was hired to help create and direct the new Department of Natural Resources following the merger of King County and the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, or Metro. Known as a highly effective consensus builder and manager with a fisheries biologist's environmental zeal, Bissonnette also led the department through numerous water quality, habitat protection, and capital projects successes, along with a merger with the Parks Department in 2002.

"Being the director of DNRP has been the pinnacle of my career. I could not have asked for better employees, better issues, a better community, or a better person to work for than Ron Sims," Bissonnette said. "I am also delighted that the strong leadership that remains at DNRP will keep the department humming at a level that is envied nationally."

Among DNRP's many highlights under Bissonnette's leadership are:

Leading adoption of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan and major water quality infrastructure investments such as improved sewer overflow controls and construction of the Brightwater Plant.
Helping King County Parks through its first operating levy, and overseeing its new innovative business plan.
Successfully working with local governments, businesses, Indian tribes, environmental groups, and state agencies in developing science-based plans to conserve salmon.
Helping to enact bold critical areas ordinances and a stormwater management program that protect fish, wildlife, water quality and habitat from irresponsible development.
Leading a nationally-acclaimed floodplain management program and laying the foundation for major public safety infrastructure improvements.
Overseeing some of the leading recycling and green building programs in the nation.
Guiding management of the largest landfill in the state, and planning for the future while keeping disposal rates low.
Overseeing major land acquisitions, including the 90,000-acre Snoqualmie Tree Farm.
Planning for and implementing the development of reclaimed water, and other innovative waste-to-resource programs such as solid waste recycling and gas-to-energy.
Helping to mitigate for and adapt King County DNRP operations to climate change.
Helping develop a nationally-acclaimed performance measurement system that is being adopted countywide.
Helping to develop a Regional Water Supply Planning Process to ensure adequate water supply and minimize harm to streams, lakes, rivers and groundwater .

Bissonnette also worked for the City of Bellevue for 18 years, managing all 11 city departments. She holds degrees in chemistry and microbiology and a master's in fisheries from the University of Washington.

Theresa Jennings, who will become acting director, is an expert in operations and utility management. She began her King County career in solid waste in 1989 as a management analyst. She has since held a number of positions with the division, including program planning and communications manager, and operations manager. In 2003, she became director of the Solid Waste Division, managing a diverse work force of more than 400 employees, from financial and policy analysts to welders and truck drivers.

Holding undergraduate and master's degrees in public administration, Jennings has also served as the assistant director of utilities for the City of Norfolk, Virginia's Department of Utilities (water production and wastewater distribution), property services manager for the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (relocation of tenants displaced due to the construction of the Seattle Mariners Safeco Field), and energy manager for the King County Department of Natural Resources.

"We are so fortunate to be able to draw on someone as capable as Theresa Jennings within King County government," said Sims. "Theresa is a highly respected utility manager and consummate operations expert who has established outstanding regional trust in the Solid Waste Division.

"The work of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks is critical to protecting the environment, public safety and our quality of life, and plays a key role in managing my initiatives on global warming, open space and trails, and rural service delivery," Sims said.

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims King County Executive You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print June 15, 2007 Bissonnette to retire as director of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Pam Bissonnette, who has led the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) to regional and national prominence for its work on water quality, salmon recovery, waste to resources and flood protection, is retiring after a 30 year career in government. Bissonnette has served as DNRP's only director, having led the merger of Metro wastewater services with King County utility services to create the new department 11 years ago. Her last day as director will be July 16. King County Executive Ron Sims has appointed Solid Waste Division Director Theresa Jennings to serve as acting DNRP director. "I have no doubt that this region's environment, the quality of life of our residents and the performance of King County government is improved because of the boundless passion, energy and integrity of Pam Bissonnette," said Sims. "Under her leadership DNRP divisions have created model programs that have helped other governments across the state and across the nation. "She has been an incredible asset to King County and a good friend to me," Sims said. "I wish her an enjoyable retirement." Bissonnette's distinguished career with King County began in 1996 when she was hired to help create and direct the new Department of Natural Resources following the merger of King County and the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, or Metro. Known as a highly effective consensus builder and manager with a fisheries biologist's environmental zeal, Bissonnette also led the department through numerous water quality, habitat protection, and capital projects successes, along with a merger with the Parks Department in 2002. "Being the director of DNRP has been the pinnacle of my career. I could not have asked for better employees, better issues, a better community, or a better person to work for than Ron Sims," Bissonnette said. "I am also delighted that the strong leadership that remains at DNRP will keep the department humming at a level that is envied nationally." Among DNRP's many highlights under Bissonnette's leadership are: Leading adoption of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan and major water quality infrastructure investments such as improved sewer overflow controls and construction of the Brightwater Plant. Helping King County Parks through its first operating levy, and overseeing its new innovative business plan. Successfully working with local governments, businesses, Indian tribes, environmental groups, and state agencies in developing science-based plans to conserve salmon. Helping to enact bold critical areas ordinances and a stormwater management program that protect fish, wildlife, water quality and habitat from irresponsible development. Leading a nationally-acclaimed floodplain management program and laying the foundation for major public safety infrastructure improvements. Overseeing some of the leading recycling and green building programs in the nation. Guiding management of the largest landfill in the state, and planning for the future while keeping disposal rates low. Overseeing major land acquisitions, including the 90,000-acre Snoqualmie Tree Farm. Planning for and implementing the development of reclaimed water, and other innovative waste-to-resource programs such as solid waste recycling and gas-to-energy. Helping to mitigate for and adapt King County DNRP operations to climate change. Helping develop a nationally-acclaimed performance measurement system that is being adopted countywide. Helping to develop a Regional Water Supply Planning Process to ensure adequate water supply and minimize harm to streams, lakes, rivers and groundwater . Bissonnette also worked for the City of Bellevue for 18 years, managing all 11 city departments. She holds degrees in chemistry and microbiology and a master's in fisheries from the University of Washington. Theresa Jennings, who will become acting director, is an expert in operations and utility management. She began her King County career in solid waste in 1989 as a management analyst. She has since held a number of positions with the division, including program planning and communications manager, and operations manager. In 2003, she became director of the Solid Waste Division, managing a diverse work force of more than 400 employees, from financial and policy analysts to welders and truck drivers. Holding undergraduate and master's degrees in public administration, Jennings has also served as the assistant director of utilities for the City of Norfolk, Virginia's Department of Utilities (water production and wastewater distribution), property services manager for the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (relocation of tenants displaced due to the construction of the Seattle Mariners Safeco Field), and energy manager for the King County Department of Natural Resources. "We are so fortunate to be able to draw on someone as capable as Theresa Jennings within King County government," said Sims. "Theresa is a highly respected utility manager and consummate operations expert who has established outstanding regional trust in the Solid Waste Division. "The work of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks is critical to protecting the environment, public safety and our quality of life, and plays a key role in managing my initiatives on global warming, open space and trails, and rural service delivery," Sims said.
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