Resource conservation, development council picks director

PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development council has tabbed a successor to Regional Director Kate Dean.

The nonprofit council is in contract negotiations with an out-of-state applicant who was chosen among four “incredibly well-qualified candidates,” said Clea Rome, 2016 council secretary and director of Washington State University Clallam County Extension.

“Once those negotiations are complete, we’ll announce the new director,” Rome said Wednesday.

“We’re hoping this person will be starting as soon as possible, given we have a couple of grant projects that can’t lose momentum.

“But we’re really, really excited about this new director.”

The council, commonly referred to as the NOP RC&D, works to advance economic, environmental and quality of life initiatives in Clallam and Jefferson counties. It is a collaboration of local governments, tribes and educational and community organizations.

Dean stepped down as director of the RC&D at the end of last year. She was sworn in as a Jefferson County commissioner Tuesday, having defeated Tim Thomas in a race for retired Commissioner Phil Johnson’s seat in the November election.

The RC&D director oversees the administration and operations of the organization and manages council-approved projects, according to the job description.

Clallam County Commissioner Mark Ozias, who serves on the council, announced Tuesday that the RC&D had made an offer to a “highly-qualified candidate right before the holidays.”

“She accepted,” Ozias reported in the business meeting.

“We expect her to start on or around Feb. 1. That was a real success for that organization.”

Rome, who directs the Clallam County Washington State University Extension office, said the resource council had “an amazing panel of candidates to choose from.”

“I was really blown away by the quality of candidates that we received for the position,” she said.

Since 1992, the council has managed projects in natural resource research, economic feasibility, market development and regional planning, according to its website, www.noprcd.org.

It developed the Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula, which Rome described as a “nationally-acclaimed project.”

The council’s grant-funded efforts are typically focused on economic development in the agricultural sectors of Clallam and Jefferson counties, Rome said.

The climate change adaption plan, which Dean co-authored, is available on the RC&D website.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@ peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost