Director's Message
In January 2025, I was granted the opportunity to be Director of Public Works. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of leading an exceptional team through a period that was both challenging and deeply rewarding. I am very proud of what we achieved together this past year. When I say “we,” it is intentional. Our successes result from the collective efforts of every employee in the Public Works Department.
RESILIENCE AND RESPONSE
Each year brings some change, but 2025 stood out, especially in our leadership team. Public Works is fortunate to have welcomed three new members to the Public Works Leadership Team – Amy Gillespie, Assistant Director; Rose Vanderschaegen, Business Services Manager; and Andrea Thomas, Administrative Services Manager. They each bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to Public Works, and I am grateful for their contributions to our team.
In December, our teams responded quickly when local flooding affected parts of the county. Quick actions by our Road Operations, Traffic Operations, and Parks & Trails teams helped protect vital infrastructure and supported our community during a difficult time. It is a clear example of the essential role Public Works plays in emergency response and recovery, and while field teams were on the front lines keeping our community safe, their actions would not have been possible without the internal support of many other Public Works staff, including the Administrative, Financial, and Communications & Outreach teams.
CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY
In their daily work with residents, our employees provide reliable and outstanding customer service and build real connections in the community. I am proud and touched by the many notes and calls from residents who want to recognize Public Works staff for their work. When people take time to reach out and say thank you, it reflects the care and professionalism our team brings to their work and the positive impact they have across Thurston County.
Building strong connections with our community remains a priority. This year, we expanded the ways we engage with residents and partners, creating more opportunities for meaningful involvement. Through outreach and public engagement, we stayed active in the community. We participated in the Thurston County Fair, partnered with Saint Martin’s University on a Senior Design Engineering project, launched a new Bicycle Recycling project, hosted Fix-it Fairs, and joined Public Health’s “Trunk or Treat” event. These efforts help residents see what we do and how our work supports daily life across the county.

Our Noxious Weeds team also continues to stand out for its strong outreach and education efforts. Their work helps residents identify and control invasive weeds, protecting local landscapes and natural resources.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
On the construction front, one of our most noteworthy achievements this year was the completion of the new Green Cove Creek Bridge. This challenging project demanded extensive coordination, technical skill, and persistence. This project is also a testament to how multiple stakeholders and community supporters, including legislative leaders, work together to deliver lasting benefits for Thurston County residents and the environment.
We completed 18 capital projects in 2025 - an impressive feat for one year! Our projects enhance safety, accessibility, system resilience, and the community's quality of life. Four projects were part of our Fish Passage Program and opened up
XXXX miles of habitat for fish. We celebrated four ribbon cuttings in 2025, marking important milestones in our Water & Sewer Utilities, Office of the County Engineer, and Parks & Trails program. We installed a new trash compactor at the Waste and Recovery Center to enhance our growing solid waste operations and level of service to the community. Through Public Works’ strong fiscal stewardship, we leveraged county funds to secure over
$XXXXX in grant funding for these projects.
As important as investments in our community are, we also made significant investments in our staff. Public Works employees are our greatest asset, and in recognition of this, programs like our Commercial Driver License training pilot and ongoing professional development have supported growth and employee retention across the department, resulting in an impressive 43% internal promotion rate in 2025. Our sustained focus on safety ensured employees had the resources, training, and support needed to work effectively and safely. Our emphasis on safety in recent years is contributing to financial health as well, helping to reduce workers' compensation insurance premiums across the county, estimated at $800K in savings for 2026!
I am consistently impressed by the dedication, expertise, and professionalism of our staff. As a testament to the impactful work we do daily, Public Works received 5 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties, including winning the Best in Category for our Fix-It Fair community volunteer program, which diverted
XXXX lbs. of waste in 2025. Public Works is a community-focused organization, and our employees are difference-makers; the achievements of 2025 show what can be accomplished through collaboration, innovation, accountability, and shared purpose. Thank you to our employees, partners, and community members for your trust and support. I look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
