EVERETT — Executive Dave Somers is hiring Mike Fong, a senior deputy mayor from Seattle, to run Snohomish County’s long-term COVID recovery efforts, according to a news release.
Starting Sept. 3, Fong will serve as the county’s chief recovery and resiliency officer, as well as a member of Somers’ executive cabinet.
“Even in the midst of our fifth wave of COVID-19, we must aggressively pursue Snohomish County’s full recovery to ensure our residents have the tools they need to thrive,” Somers said. “Mike Fong is a proven leader, having run large organizations over many years. He will ensure our recovery is as robust as possible, our resilience is strengthened, and we are tied into every available regional, state, and national resource.”
One of Fong’s biggest responsibilities will be figuring out how to best spend the $160 million the county received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Early plans call for that money to go to workforce development, childcare, expanded broadband and human services.
“There is nothing more important than ensuring every resident, in every part of Snohomish County, can recover from the pandemic,” he said. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle long-standing problems and find long-term solutions. I’m looking forward to helping lead this vital work.”
Fong is leaving his job as senior deputy mayor to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. For the last 16 months, he’s helped lead the city’s COVID-19 response. Before that, he was the chief operating officer for King County.
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