Times/News

Craig Ward was appointed SeaTac's new city manager Aug. 2 by a unanimous vote of the city council.

The move is a promotion for Ward, who had served as interim manager since July 1 and previously was assistant city manager for five years.

He was expected to sign an employment agreement and be formally hired at the Aug. 9 council meeting.

As assistant city manager since 2000, Ward has been the city's lead staffer in dealing with economic development, Sea-Tac International Airport and light rail.

He replaced Bruce Rayburn, who retired on June 30 after 15 years with SeaTac as city manager and public works director.

"This is a big step for me," Ward said. ""I'm proud to have the opportunity."

Ward added he will work with council members in setting priorities.

"My goals are the council's goals," Ward declared.

He mentioned moving forward on economic development, making the city a better place to live with clean and attractive neighborhoods and preventing crime.

"Crime prevention is always a priority near an airport," Ward noted.

Praising the city's staff, he observed, "We have a strong customer service ethic here. I believe in it. When you work for the city, everybody is your customer."

Ward said he would offer proposals for the assistant city manager position left vacant after his promotion.

Council members earlier this year voted to hire a separate economic development director.

Councilman Joe Brennan said he is proud of the city and its staff for attracting a high quality of candidates for the city's top post.

SeaTac received 42 applications and lawmakers conducted face-to-face interviews with five candidates.

"Any one of the five would have made a fine city manager," Brennan said. "Craig was the cream in the pitcher of milk and he rose to the top."

Ward served as principal planner in SeaTac's community development department from 1996 to 2000.

Before that, he worked as a planner for engineering and consulting firms in Federal Way and Seattle, director of the Jefferson County Planning Department in Port Townsend and regional planner in Moscow, Idaho.

He served five years on the Pullman City Council and was selected deputy mayor.

Ward earned master's degrees from Washington State University in business management and forest management. He also received a bachelor's degree in forest management from WSU in 1976.