Thurston County names new Assistant County Manager, Public Works Director
Thurston County named a new Assistant County Manager and Public Works Director on Tuesday.
County Manager Leonard Hernandez appointed Jennifer Walker, the current Public Works Director, as an Assistant County Manager. He also promoted Assistant Public Works Director Karen Weiss to Public Works Director. Both of them will start their new roles on Thursday.
These appointments follow a period of transition and challenges for the county. The organization has recently seen several notable departures and is contending with a budget deficit. In the last several weeks, the county has also settled a high-profile sexual harassment complaint against Commissioner Emily Clouse, and Hernandez has internally raised concerns about employee morale and recruitment.
Walker is stepping into her new leadership role to fill a vacancy left by Assistant County Manager Rob Gelder, who resigned last month to become the first City Administrator for the City of Poulsbo. In a news release, Hernandez said he felt “incredibly fortunate” to have Walker join the County manager team.
“Her exceptional leadership and deep understanding of organizational effectiveness, honed during her successful tenure as Public Works Director, will be invaluable assets to our county,” Hernandez said. “Jennifer’s keen sense of structure and functionality will undoubtedly enhance our overall operations.”
Walker came to Thurston County to serve as the Public Works Director in 2017, her LinkedIn profile says. Public Works is responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining county roads, bridges, parks, trails and other infrastructure.
When reached for comment, Clerk of the Board Amy Davis said Walker will be paid $190,620 a year. For 2025, the salary range for this position is between $142,968 and $190,620. Walker previously earned $179,676 as Public Works Director, which was also at the high end for that position.
Weiss has served as Assistant Public Works Director since 2022 but she started working for the county in 2016 as a senior management analyst, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Davis said Weiss will earn $174,996 as Public Works Director. She previously earned $151,980 as Assistant Public Works Director.
In 2025, a Department Assistant Director can expect to earn between $114,516 and $152,700 a year. The release did not state who would fill the position Weiss is vacating.
“Karen has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a significant contribution to the department’s development,” Hernandez said. “This promotion is a testament to her hard work and dedication. I am confident that under Karen’s leadership, Public Works will continue to excel and serve our community with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness.”
The Olympian asked the county to explain how Walker and Weiss were selected for their new roles. Davis said county policy allows for the county manager to appoint people to these positions without a using a competitive recruiting process.
“The County Manager decided not to do a recruitment because the organization needs a high performing, organizationally minded leader that understands how to operationalize processes within Thurston County and has established relationships,” Davis said.
Davis said Walker has distinguished herself within the county as fitting the exact skillset the county sought. As for Weiss, Davis said she has been instrumental as the Assistant Director of one of the county’s “strongest and best performing departments.”
“In order to continue the continuity of the department and in recognition of the succession and leadership planning Public Works has undergone, she was also an obvious choice,” Davis said. “Thurston County is very fortunate to have yet another set of leaders step into positions because they have been trained and prepared for these opportunities.”
Walker will join fellow Assistant County Manager Joshua Cummings in overseeing the directors of the county’s various departments that are not headed by an elected official.
Before his resignation, Gelder oversaw Emergency Services, Public Health and Social Services, Pretrial Services and Public Defense, according to a county organization chart.
Meanwhile, Cummings oversaw Information Technology, Public Works, Community Planning and Economic Development and Central Services.
Among the challenges county leadership will face this year are executing a scaled-back remodel of the county’s courthouse campus as well as finding a location and means to build an entirely new courthouse complex that can meet the county’s long-term needs.
“As Thurston County continues to evolve, we are presented with new opportunities,” the new release about the promotions says. “To ensure continuity and navigate these changes successfully, we are appointing proven leaders from within our organization. These individuals possess the experience and skills to guide our county toward a thriving future while maintaining our commitment to excellent service.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM.
