Department Heads
The following is a list of department heads within the city of Pullman.
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John Sherman, City Supervisor (509) 338-3212 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 i s 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. |
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Joanna Bailey, Temporary Library Services Manager (509) 338-3252 Joanna graduated from the University of Idaho in 1997. She has been with the city of Pullman since October 2001. |
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Mark Bailey, Information Systems Manager (509) 338-3210 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. |
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Kurt Dahmen, Recreation Superintendent (509) 338-3225 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. |
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Alan Davis, Parks Superintendent (509) 338-3286 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. |
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Pete Dickinson, Planning Director (509) 338-3213 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. |
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Mike Heston, Acting Fire Chief (509) 332-8172 Mike has worked for the city since 1996 as the Assistant Fire Chief in charge of Operations. He earned both a bachelor degree and a Master of Arts in political science from Washington State University. He is a member of the Spokane Type 3 Incident Management Team. Mike enjoys cooking, all outdoor activities, and gives back to the community by participating in scouting, Lion's Club and PHS sports announcing. |
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Gary Jenkins, Chief of Police (509) 334-0802 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. |
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William F. "Bill" Mulholland, Finance Director (509) 338-3206 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. |
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Karen Sires, Human Resources Manager (509) 338-3207 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. |
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Mark Workman, Public Works Director (509) 338-3222 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. |














