TRPC narrows executive director search to 3 finalists. Meet them Thursday evening

After a nationwide search, the Thurston Regional Planning Council has selected three finalists for the organization’s executive director, including a candidate from Lacey, the organization announced.

The new director will replace former executive director Marc Daily.

Community members are invited to meet the finalists at an evening reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, according to a news release. The event will be held at the Port of Olympia in the Olympics Room, 626 Columbia St NW, Suite 1B.

Here are the finalists.

Ryan Andrews

Andrews has more than 23 years of city and county planning experience. He has worked for the city of Lacey since 2005 when he started as an associate planner. He has been the Community Planning Manager since 2014.

R. Todd Ashby

Ashby has more than 30 years of experience in planning, land use, transportation, and community development. He was most recently Vice President of Transportation for WSP USA, an engineering and professional services consulting firm.

Elissa Gertler

Gertler has more than 25 years of experience in housing, transportation, land use, and community development with regional and local governments. She has been the Housing Manager for Clatsop County, Oregon, since 2023.

About the reception

During Thursday’s reception, attendees will have the opportunity to hear a short statement from each finalist, meet the candidates, and provide feedback that will be shared with TRPC council members during their deliberations, according to the release.

Council will hold interviews with the finalists on Friday. TRPC meetings are open to the public, but interviews and deliberations will be held in executive session, which is not open to the public.

The council expects to make a final decision at an upcoming meeting before the end of the year.

What is the TRPC?

Thurston Regional Planning Council is a 23-member council of local governments from throughout the county. TRPC offers broad representation for decisions on transportation, growth management and environmental quality.