Executive thanks Council for confirming Caroline Whalen as County Administrative Officer

April 5, 2010

Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the Metropolitan King County Council for confirming his appointee for Director of the King County Department of Executive Services. Caroline Whalen has served in an acting capacity since February.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the Metropolitan King County Council for confirming his appointee for Director of the King County Department of Executive Services. Caroline Whalen has served in an acting capacity since February.

"Caroline has a strong track record of leadership and management for the county, both at the council and in the Executive branch,” said Executive Constantine. “She has shown a consistent ability to oversee and deliver big projects that provide value for the county and taxpayer and I thank the council for confirming her.”

“As County Administrative Officer I look forward to successfully implementing efficiencies for finance, payroll and budgeting and improving the public’s access to information,” said Whalen. “I thank the Councilmembers for their vote of confidence.”

During her 15-year tenure with King County, Whalen has managed a number of complex projects and initiatives, including the county’s nationally-recognized employee health reform initiative and planning for continuity of county operations during emergency events such as pandemic flu and extreme weather.

Whalen previously served as Deputy Director of the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services and as a legislative analyst for the King County Council. Most recently she was Program Project Director with the Department of Executive Services (DES), leading the countywide effort known as the Accountable Business Transformation Program to streamline business processes for financial, human resource, payroll, benefit and budget operations.

As head of DES, Whalen is responsible for an overall operating budget in excess of $421 million and approximately 871 employees who provide nearly all internal services to King County government and a variety of public services, including Records and Licensing Services, Facilities Management, Finance and Business Operations, Human Resources, the Board of Ethics, and the offices of Civil Rights, Emergency Management, and Risk Management.

“Caroline has critical leadership skills and institutional knowledge that will help us quickly move forward as we undertake further reforms countywide,” said Executive Constantine. “I look forward to working with her and having the benefit of her valuable insight.”

As the Director of DES and in accordance with the King County Charter, Whalen also serves as County Administrative Officer, a position in the line of succession under the Executive with responsibility for the general administration of County government.