Walen Chosen As Sound Cities Association President

KIRKLAND, WA - From Sound Cities Association: Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen has been elected to serve as the President of the Sound Cities Association (SCA), which represents 38 King County cities and provides a regional voice for more than one million people. The association provides leadership in areas such as economic and community development, transportation, land use, health, government operations, the environment, education, public safety, social welfare and other public policy issues.

“SCA fosters collaboration with King County and cities to address our shared policy issues,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “I look forward to working with SCA President Walen and the other Board Members in the coming year.”

“From transportation infrastructure to homelessness and from growing family wage jobs to providing human services, we face a number of tough challenges in our region,” Mayor Walen said. “SCA serves as an important catalyst by creating solutions through innovative local and regional partnerships. The results help me better serve the residents of Kirkland.”

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski added that “Mayor Walen is a strong and dedicated leader who gets things done for our region. Whether the issue is transportation, parks and open space, or human services, she works hard on the challenges facing our communities and gets results. I always look forward to working with her and am excited to partner with her in her new role as President of Sound Cities Association.”

Mayor Amy Walen began her first term on Kirkland’s City Council in January 2010 (Position No. 5) and was re-elected in November 2013 and 2017. She was selected by her fellow Council Members to serve as Mayor for a two-year term beginning January 2014, 2016 and again in 2018. Her current City Council committee assignments include: Finance and Administration Committee, Planning & Economic Development Committee, and Legislative work group. Regionally, Mayor Walen also serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board, and PSRC Transportation Policy Board.

Mayor Walen has been instrumental in the City’s efforts to revitalize the Totem Lake Urban Center and will continue outreach efforts to area residents and businesses through the Totem Lake Conversations.

Mayor Walen is currently the chief financial officer at Ford Hyundai of Kirkland, located in Totem Lake. She has helped organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Evergreen Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees and Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing (now known as Attain Housing).

In 2013, the Alliance of Eastside Agencies, a professional membership organization of human service providers, honored Amy Walen as the Elected Official of the Year. In June of 2015, Association of Washington Cities (AWC) presented Mayor Walen with the Advocacy All-Star Award, celebrating her actions in advocating for Kirkland and cities around the state.

“Mayor Walen is a passionate advocate for cities who also brings a thoughtful, gracious and inclusive leadership style,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “With Mayor Walen at the helm, 2018 will no doubt be a successful year for Sound Cities Association,”

SCA, which was formerly known as the Suburban Cities Association, was established more than 40 years ago to help King County cities act locally and partner regionally to create vital and thriving communities through advocacy, education, leadership, mutual support and networking. For more information, please visit www.SoundCities.org.

Photo courtesy of Sound Cities Association