Mark Newman: Being a participant in change

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026

This is one of 12 finalists for The Herald Business Journal’s annual Emerging Leaders awards for 2026. The winner will be announced on April 7.

Mark Newman, 36

Community Development Director, City of Sultan

Mark Newman walks the streets of Sultan on his lunch break three to four times a week.

So far, it’s allowed him to learn about the community he serves (and befriend a golden retriever named Holly).

Newman worked in small cities for the last couple of years. After taking some time off for his health, he saw the advertisement for the job in Sultan and thought he’d “give it a try.”

Since entering the role in October, he has immersed himself in the community, including running in the Return of the Salmon 5K at Osprey Park and dressing as a hot dog for the local trunk or treat.

“You can’t plan projects if you are not a participant,” he said.

For Newman, every day is a little different.

“I try to look at what the city is going to be like 20 years from now,” he said.

Currently, that’s helping people raise the elevation of their homes after the flooding in December. Additionally, Newman wants to bring more economic development to Sultan, such as a major grocery store or popular chain restaurants.

Newman applied for grants to improve stormwater, which would also help salmon spawning, and a Washington State Department of Transportation grant that would help with a roundabout project on U.S. 2.

He is helping to add new diverse housing types and tackling projects like the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update and middle housing by seeking grants and providing solutions to state mandates, Newman wrote.

The American Planning Association Washington Chapter awarded him the 2025 Myer R. “Mike” Wolfe Award in recognition of his work.

But it’s not only the big projects that matter. Sometimes it’s having a bad day and still thinking about, “What can I do to make things a little bit better for somebody else,” he said.

That can mean fixing a broken process at work or picking up litter when he’s out and about.

“I am actually making a change in my community and my environment,” Newman said. “I am not just here for the ride.”

Growing up in an unwalkable area and taking public transit to visit his aunt in New York City, Newman knew then he wanted to be part of the action

“That kind of thrill of getting to watch the city grow,” he said. “Even if it’s just installing a bench or something, or helping somebody build a life, I feel like I’m a part of that.”

Among Newman’s recent accomplishments, he is proud of losing 160 pounds in the last year and three months.

“I’m smiling a lot more at people,” he said. “I think I’m giving off a happier vibe because I am a lot happier.”

Outside of work, Newman can be found hiking, speaking German when he gets the chance or hanging out with his cat, Kami Jo.

Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com. X: @JennaMillikan