White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(2019 WCN photo, John Taylor’s first NHUAC appearance as Local Services director)

He’s well-known to North Highline, having been the first-ever director of King County Local Services and then leading the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. But now, John Taylor is leaving county government. Here’s the announcement from the office of King County Executive Girmay Zahilay:

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced that John Taylor, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, has accepted an appointment as the new CEO of the Cascade Water Alliance, a partner organization that contributes to safe, clean, reliable water supply in the Central Puget Sound region.

The department completed major projects during Taylor’s tenure, including King County’s largest-ever floodplain restoration project, a unique onsite battery system that provides reliable power to West Point Treatment Plant, and the renewal of the King County Parks Levy.

Executive Zahilay appointed Mo McBroom – who has served as deputy director for the department since 2020, strengthening community partnerships while successfully leading climate and conservation initiatives – as interim director while his leadership team conducts a recruitment for the Cabinet position.

“Our frontline professionals reinforced King County’s reputation as trusted environmental stewards under John’s steady leadership, achieving ambitious goals that contributed to healthier, more resilient, more sustainable communities,” said Executive Zahilay. “I’m grateful for John’s 13 years of dedicated service at King County, especially his leadership during the unprecedented flooding in December. Going forward, we will build on this momentum and continue to drive meaningful progress in climate action, environmental sustainability, and clean energy for King County communities.”

Taylor was appointed department director in February 2024 after serving as the first director of the King County Department of Local Services. He previously served as a member of the Department of Natural Resources Parks’ leadership team where he led the creation of Fish, Farm, and Flood, a landmark accord that has restored salmon habitat, strengthened the local agricultural economy, and reduced flood risks along the Snoqualmie River.

He was one of the architects of the Land Conservation Initiative, a partnership that is protecting the last, best 65,000 acres of urban greenspace, forestland, farmland, river corridors, and natural areas while increasing access to the outdoors.

“It has been an honor to serve as a member of Executive Zahilay’s Cabinet and to work each day with a high-performing team of talented professionals,” said Taylor. “There are no final victories in environmental stewardship, but together with community partners, we’ve produced measurable, lasting results for people, fish, and wildlife.”

During Executive Zahilay’s administration, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks has achieved several milestones in urban communities, building on decades of progress in rural areas.

The department launched a study of the current condition of forest canopy in unincorporated areas, which will inform future actions with communities that promote equitable access to healthy tree canopy. King County Parks entered an agreement to purchase the location for Skyway’s first community center and is transforming the 1,000-foot-long Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue into a scenic trail bridge.

The department was a primary contributor to King County’s 24/7 emergency response during the historic December flooding, deploying members of its specially trained Flood Patrol who reinforced levees before they broke and mobilized rapid repairs when they breached.

The next director will lead a workforce of 2,300-plus employees who manage a diverse portfolio. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks restores habitat, reduces flood risks, builds and operates major infrastructure that protects Puget Sound, transforms waste management to cut carbon emissions, and expands and enhances regional parks and trails.

Taylor will begin his role as CEO for the Cascade Water Alliance on May 29. The organization works with seven member agencies – the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, and Tukwila along with two water and sewer districts – to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for 400,000 residents in King County.

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