BY BRIAN KELLY
Herald Writer
Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel will take over as the new executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council, a four-county planning agency that tackles transportation, growth and other issues.
The agency’s executive board unanimously voted to hire Drewel today at the group’s meeting in Seattle. He will start work in January and be paid $160,000 a year.
Drewel will replace outgoing executive director Mary McCumber, who is retiring. McCumber has been director of the council since it was formed in 1991.
The regional council coordinates growth and transportation planning in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
The agency has a staff of about 50 and a biennial budget of roughly $17 million. The council controls the annual distribution of roughly $100 million in federal highway and transit funds, and also supports the region’s Economic Development District.
Drewel has been Snohomish County executive for 12 years. He could not seek re-election last month because of term limits.
“Bob Drewel will be a fantastic executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement after Drewel was hired.
“He is a patient, effective, and determined leader who brings people together to get the job done,” Murray said.
“His experience in transportation and economic development make him the perfect person to lead such an important regional agency. I look forward to continuing to work with Bob to help make progress for the people who live and work in the Puget Sound.”
Drewel was president of Everett Community College before he took over as county executive. He lives in Arlington with his wife, Cheryl, and the couple have two grown daughters.
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