John has served in this city position since August 1981. Prior to coming to Pullman, he was the assistant city supervisor for the city of Olympia, an administrative assistant for the city of Olympia, and a community services counselor for the city of Salem. John has a B.S. in political science and an M.S. in public affairs, both from the University of Oregon. He is a graduate of the Cascade Public Executive Program, an ICMA credentialed manager, and the 2009-2010 president of the Washington City County Managers Association. He and wife Debbie have two daughters.
Joanna was appointed Library Director in November 2011. She began her library career in 2001 as an administrative assistant for Neill Public Library. She was awarded her professional librarian certification from the Washington State Library, Office of the Secretary of State in 2011. She obtained her bachelors of arts degree in Spanish from the University of Idaho in 1997. She and her husband, Ben, have a daughter and a son.
Mark has been with the city of Pullman since October 1998. Prior to coming to Pullman, he was the IT Director for Smith Gardens, one of the 50 largest greenhouse grower in the U.S., with locations from Bellingham to Northern California. Mark has also been the Network Manager for the Whitcom Regional 911 Center since 2004 and serves as an advisory member on the Whitman County Emergency Communications Committee. He and his wife, Crystal, have a daughter and a son.
Kurt has been working with the city since August 2000. Prior to coming to Pullman, he was a recreation coordinator with the city of Lewiston and the Northwest Children's Home in Lewiston, Idaho. Kurt has a B.A. in recreation and leisure studies from Washington State University.
Alan has been with the city of Pullman since 1976. Prior work experience includes the Pullman office of the Soil Conservation Service and Auburn Springs (Ohio) Country Club. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in biology from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1974 and did additional studies in architecture at the University of Cambridge in England and University of Dundee in Scotland.
Pete started as an intern with the city of Pullman in 1982, and has been employed full-time for the city since 1984. Prior to that, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service on the Mt. Hood National Forest. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his master’s degree in regional planning from Washington State University. He currently serves on the Planning Association of Washington board of directors.
Gary was appointed Chief of Police in July 2010. Prior to coming to Pullman, Gary worked for the Claremont Police Department (CA) for nearly 33 years, attaining the rank of Captain. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Management from the University of Redlands (CA) and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. He is a graduate of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College and the FBI National Academy.
Bill, a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner, joined the city of Pullman in September 2009. Bill accrued more than 25 years of financial management experience in Washington and Arizona in both the public and private sectors. Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Arizona State University and possesses a community college lifetime teaching certificate. Bill and his wife, Carol, have three boys.
Karen has worked for the City of Pullman since August of 1981, and has served as the Human Resources Manager since September of 2003. Karen began working for the City after graduating from Washington State University. Karen currently serves on the advisory committees for the Association of Washington Cities Employee Benefit Trust and the Association of Washington Cities Workers' Compensation Retrospective Rating Program.
Mark has worked for the City of Pullman since 1985 and has been the Public Works Director since 1998. He earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho and is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in Washington and Idaho. Mark is also a licensed fisherman in Idaho.
Prior to moving to Pullman, Chief LaVielle grew up in the Seattle King County area and became a Volunteer firefighter in 1981 before being hired in 1982. Prior to attaining the position of fire chief in 2007, he served as fire marshal for over 10 years and a shift battalion chief for over 5 years. Chief LaVielle has a great passion for serving his community and making an impact in the lives of others.
Academically, Chief LaVielle understands the value of hard work, sacrifice and dedication. He has worked continually throughout his career to attain several degrees focused on academics and the fire service. Chief LaVielle has acquired the professional qualifications that exemplify the strongest attributes of a fire chief and those that are crucial for leading an organization successfully.
He has earned four Associate in Arts degrees including, General Studies, Fire Command and Administration, Fire Prevention Specialist and Fire Investigation. He also holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in Public Administration Leadership and one in Psychology.
Chief LaVielle is a graduate of the four year National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program and is a certified Chief Fire Officer Designee (CFOD) and a Chief Medical Officer Designee (CMOD) earning his certifications from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Chief LaVielle's CFOD certification ranks him as 1 of the 804 elite members worldwide and his CMOD ranks him 65 worldwide. Currently there are only 27 worldwide who hold both designations. He maintains memberships in many local and national organizations including an international certification with the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE).
