HomeMy WebLinkAbout102425 - Press Release_ Jefferson County Announces the next Community Development DirectorGood afternoon,
Jefferson County is pleased to announce that Jeremy Williammee has accepted an offer of employment to serve as Community Development Director, the person that leads the county’s Department
of Community Development (DCD), starting on December 1, 2025. The DCD Director position has been vacant since July 1, 2025, when former DCD Director Josh Peters began his new role as
County Administrator.
Jeremy Williammee joins Jefferson County as Director of the Department of Community Development following a career as a Foreign Service Officer and diplomat with the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID). He led governance, transparency, and community development programs in Latin America, Central Asia, and other regions, focused on improving public
service delivery, strengthening accountability systems, and fostering partnerships among local governments, community organizations, and the private sector to promote sustainable growth
and active citizen engagement. He has managed large multidisciplinary teams and complex development portfolios, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets and programs across diverse contexts.
Mr. Williammee holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and International Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in History. He and his family recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest
and look forward to becoming active members of the Jefferson County community.
The extensive hiring process included two rounds of application windows, a Community Open House on October 13 with the top five candidates, and October 14 interviews with a 13-member
interview panel with representatives from partner agencies joining county elected officials and staff. Taking into account input from the general public, the interview panel, and department
staff, the hiring committee of County Administrator Josh Peters, District 1 County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette, and Interim DCD Director Chelsea Pronovost agreed to offer the
job to the selected candidate.
The national search for DCD Director was conducted by Prothman, an executive recruiting firm specializing in public sector leadership. The process attracted 11 applicants from multiple
states, representing an impressive range of professional backgrounds and strengths.
County Administrator Josh Peters is confident that Jeremy Williammee is a match for this challenging job, noting that, “Jeremy’s extensive experience and demonstrated skill in managing
programs and achieving community development objectives abroad will be put to good use in our county, both with day-to-day management of the permit center at DCD and for broader economic
and community development to enhance our collective prospects and quality of life.”
“We’re impressed and truly grateful for all the input we received during the hiring process,” added Commissioner Dudley-Nollette. “We were so fortunate to have five high-quality finalists
who all wanted to contribute to Jefferson County’s success. In the end, we made a choice that we believe will benefit our community’s varied needs and we are so excited to welcome Jeremy
to help us craft the future of public service here at home.”
Scott Rogers, President of the Jefferson County Association of REALTORS®, served on the interview panel and shared his congratulations: “On behalf of the Jefferson County Association
of REALTORS®, I extend our congratulations to Jefferson County and to Jeremy Williammee on his appointment as Director of Community Development. Jeremy brings a rare combination of
analytical depth, leadership experience, and genuine respect for community voices. His focus on collaboration and practical problem-solving will serve Jefferson County well as we work
together toward balanced growth, housing opportunity, and a strong local economy.”
Jeremy Williammee is excited to join the County, noting he is “honored to join Jefferson County and excited to work alongside the dedicated team at the Department of Community Development.
This is a remarkable community with a strong sense of place and shared purpose. I look forward to helping advance the County’s priorities for housing, resilience, sustainable economic
growth, and community engagement by building on what’s already working as we continue to grow, improve, and ensure that our systems serve people efficiently, transparently, and fairly.”
To see the press release on our website, visit: https://co.jefferson.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1642
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Thank you,
Liz Anderson
Communications Specialist
Jefferson County
360-774-0554 (direct line)
Ext. 183 for internal use
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