County hires two executive directors

EVERETT — Snohomish County Executive John Lovick’s administration has hired away two top-level directors from other local governments.

Stephen Clifton and Lenda Crawford are scheduled to start new jobs as county executive directors in mid-April, Deputy County Executive Mark Ericks said in a statement.

Clifton has worked for nearly 14 years for Edmonds, where he was director of community services and economic development. In that role, he has overseen long-range policies and capital improvements, and assisted with the annual budget. He began his career as a Kent city planner.

Clifton will take over the job vacated by Peter Camp, who was appointed hearing examiner earlier this year.

Crawford, a deputy director for Seattle’s Department of Transportation, has overseen finance, human resources, information technology, risk management street maintenance, permitting, and activities within public right-of-ways.

Crawford previously served as the chief administrative officer and interim president-CEO of Thrive by Five Washington, a public-private partnership with the Gates Foundation, the state, and several large nonprofits. She also has worked for the cities of Redmond and Bellevue.

Crawford is filling a post that’s remained vacant since Lovick was appointed in June to replace Aaron Reardon, the former county executive.