Ramiro Chavez appointed interim Thurston County manager

The Thurston County commissioners on Friday appointed Ramiro Chavez, the county’s Public Works director, to serve as interim county manager.

Cliff Moore, who has been at the county’s helm since August 2013, is leaving June 10 to become manager of the city of Yakima.

Chavez has led Public Works since August 2014. He worked for Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Department in Tacoma for 23 years, including serving as director of its transportation division for more than a decade.

“He was an easy choice for us,” Sandra Romero, chairwoman of the Board of County Commissioners, said in a news release. “His leadership skills and knowledge of county government is very impressive.”

Chavez will begin transitioning into the role Monday. The commissioners haven’t decided how they’ll fill the county’s top position on a permanent basis, according to spokeswoman Meghan Porter.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Ramiro Chavez appointed interim Thurston County manager."