Six Finalists Selected for Shoreline's Planning & Community Development Director Job

Shoreline City Manager Julie Underwood has selected six finalists to move to the final round of interviews for the position of director of planning and community development.

The six finalists are: Barry Berezowsky, planning director for the city of Poulsbo; Paul Krauss, community development director for the city of Lynnwood; Corbitt Loch, director of planning and development services for the city of Snohomish; Faith Lumsden, director of regulatory assistance for state of Washington; Rachael Markle, Shoreline’s current assistant director of planning and community development; and Steven Osguthorpe, planning and housing director for the city of Ames, Iowa. 

The planning and community development director reports directly to the city manager and is a key member of the city’s Leadership Team, which is comprised of department directors. The director oversees the Planning & Community Development Department, which is responsible for land use, building permit services and long-range planning programs.

The current director of planning and community development, Joe Tovar, said he would resign in November. His last day with the city is Jan. 16. 

The city has received over 100 applications for the position. Eleven top candidates were chosen to go through an initial phone interview. From the results of those interviews, the city manager chose the six finalists.

The final interviews will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10 and 11. Candidates will be interviewed by three panels: a community panel, a panel made up of city staff and a panel of the city’s Leadership Team. In addition, the city manager will meet individually with each candidate.

The community panel includes Ed Adams, Mark Bunje, Easton Craft, Barbara Guthrie, Jim Hills, Rob Matiko and Michelle Wagner.

It is anticipated that a new director will be selected before the end of January.

Source: City of Shoreline.