Paul Roberts, the city of Everett’s planning director, will leave his position to take a job with Snohomish County.
Roberts will replace Steve Holt as a director for incoming County Executive Aaron Reardon. Reardon takes over in January for Bob Drewel, who has been county executive for 12 years.
Roberts will oversee the county’s planning and development services, economic development, Paine Field and other areas of county government.
"Paul Roberts is blue chip," Reardon said in a statement. "He’ll hit the ground running and be an instant leader on issues that matter in Snohomish County.
"His experience in critical economic development spheres — particularly the effort to land the Boeing 7E7 and Naval Station Everett — will make him a valued member of the team," Reardon said.
Roberts has been the director of Planning and Community Development for Everett since 1988. He also has been an administrative assistant to U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks and worked as a consultant for former Gov. Booth Gardner as the state’s coordinator of the Everett Navy homeport project.
He will be paid an annual salary of about $119,000.
Roberts is well-known in the circles of local government.
"A lot of us in the county have worked with Paul on the 7E7 issue and other Boeing issues," said Dave Waggoner, director of Snohomish County Airport-Paine Field.
"I think he will be a real addition to the team. He’s familiar with just about all the people and all the issues," Waggoner said.
Roberts’ appointment is the second by Reardon. Last week, he said he would keep deputy executive Gary Weikel in his current position after Drewel leaves office.
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