New Job. New Jokes.

June 18th, 2010
Friends,

After a few months of skiing, sailing and enjoying life outta’ the fish bowl, I wanted to update you on fun new things in my world.

I was asked to take a senior role in implementing innovative environmental initiatives for WTD – our clean water utility.

While I'll certainly miss Parks, I now lead the Resource Recovery shop within King County which includes all biosolids production for forest & agriculture lands, energy efficiency, renewable energy and reclaimed water operations. To borrow my friend Eli’s company tag line: we’re “turning useless into useful.”

I’m thrilled to be diving (figuratively!) into the world of utilities. King County WTD deals with all of our storm water and wastewater. Our energy bill for doing so runs about $10 million a year. The fine balance between running an unfailingly-reliable and efficient $113M business operation, environmental envelope-pushing, and innovative public service is right in my wheelhouse.

In the last century we saw “no swimming” signs on Lake Washington beaches finally retired due to the hard work of my colleagues and their predecessors. Over the next 50 years, growth challenges will test us yet again. Now and in the future, I’ll be at your side to meet those challenges.

Hope you're well & taking bulls by horns each day,

Jessie

P.S. While I have a deep respect for my work and its value to the community, “toilet” jokes are not lost on me. I’m keeping a list of the best ones. Bring ‘em on!