Everett’s mayor-elect announces two key staff appointments

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 22, 2017

EVERETT — Mayor-Elect Cassie Franklin has announced two key positions in her administration.

Lyle Ryan, 65, a vice president of Coastal Community Bank, will serve as chief of staff. Nick Harper, a 38-year-old former state senator, will be the deputy mayor, leaving his post at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

Ryan will focus on day-to-day operations, while Harper will be working on regional issues and economic development, Franklin said.

“They just have great experience and will really complement the expertise here on the team and will allow me to dig into some of our big challenges and opportunities,” she said. “I like to lead in a team.”

New mayors often shake up the top posts at City Hall. Franklin said she is keeping Police Chief Dan Templeman in his position but declined to share details about other department leaders. Those decisions are pending, she said. The city has been without a permanent fire chief for much of the past year.

Franklin said she doesn’t plan to fill the position being vacated by Debra Bryant, a longtime assistant to outgoing Mayor Ray Stephanson.

Stephanson and Bryant have been helping with the transition.

Franklin, 46, becomes mayor at midnight on New Year’s Eve. A public swearing-in ceremony is planned for Jan 3. A report also is due in the coming weeks from her 55-member transition team, with recommendations for short-term and long-term goals.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.