County honors engineer with first-ever public works award

Owen Carter

Owen Carter

EVERETT — Owen Carter has kept on inspiring others, even as his road has grown difficult.

Whether overseeing road construction or showing support for snow-plow crews in a storm, Snohomish County’s deputy public works director has earned a reputation for hard work and good cheer. Those who know Carter say those qualities are unwavering, even when things aren’t going so well.

As he continued a long struggle with brain cancer Tuesday, elected officials and co-workers gathered to speak of their respect —even love — for a dedicated public servant.

“We’re here today to honor a model employee who is really an inspiration to everybody that’s ever worked with him, Owen Carter,” County Executive Dave Somers said. “Owen is one of those people who is loved by all those who know and work with him.”

Carter remained at home in Lake Stevens, unable to make it to Everett to receive the inaugural Snohomish County Public Works Professional Achievement Award. The first-ever recipient sets a high bar.

Public Works director Steve Thomsen praised Carter as a “mentor to staff with an inspiring attitude.”

“He’s always there to build office morale, comes with a positive attitude and lots of encouragement to staff,” Thomsen said.

Carter graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in civil engineering. In 24 years at the county, he’s supervised hundreds of projects as an engineer, manager, advisor, reviewer and problem-solver, Thomsen said. His career also includes stints as a state Department of Transportation engineer and Marysville city engineer.

County Council Chairman Brian Sullivan first met Carter as a teenager, when they were both accomplished wrestlers for opposing high schools. Carter attended Lake Stevens High, Sullivan Mariner High. They met again as students at the UW and later in county government.

The councilman remembered seeing Carter give a presentation early in his county career.

“I grabbed him and said, ‘I didn’t know wrestlers could be so smart,’” Sullivan said, to laughter.

Like others, Sullivan said he appreciates Carter’s knack for working with people, even when the county can’t come through for them.

“We’ve all worked with Owen on neighborhood projects with very angry constituents,” he said. “He was always there to calm people down, to talk about the law, to talk about how we can quiet this street down with speed bumps, or whatever. He just has this incredible amount of patience.”

Carter’s professional credentials include recognition as the Washington State Association of County Engineers’ 2013 engineer of the year. He served as the group’s president for 2016.

Carter launched the county’s Adopt-A-Road program for cleaning up litter. He helped cut costs in the Roads Division during the recession and helped restore access to North Sauk River Road in 2006 and 2007.

Councilwoman Stephanie Wright attested to Carter being “a brilliant engineer” and “an amazing public servant.”

She said he is someone who can “explain something to people, actually disappoint them, and they walked away OK because they really understood,” she said.

Carter, 58, grew up in Lake Stevens, one of four siblings. He’s married with two grown children.

“He’s still got a good sense of humor and is making us laugh, even though now he’s struggling,” older brother John Carter said.

Faith is a central part of his life. He attends The Father’s House in Granite Falls. He’s led several church missions to improve life for people in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. He’s kept up a positive outlook since his cancer diagnosis in 2014.

“He’s continued to say in all regards that his life glorifies God,” John Carter said. “That’s been a continuing theme for him.”

His professional life is a reflection of his beliefs.

“For Owen, living a life of complete integrity and honor is incredibly important,” John Carter said. “That’s what it has always been about for him, to be an example to others around him.”

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.