Press Release:
 
Bernadette (Bernie) Matsuno, a former deputy director of  the Department of Neighborhoods and a well known community activist and volunteer, will return as interim director of the department, Mayor Mike McGinn announced.
 
The mayor named Matsuno to the interim position while he searches for a successor to Neighborhoods Director Stella Chao, who is not seeking reappointment.
 
It is the second stint as interim director for Matsuno, who is now retired from city government. She held the same position in 2006 under Mayor Greg Nickels before Chao was hired. She also was deputy director of the Department of Neighborhoods in 2007, director of the department’s Community Building Division from 2004 to 2006, and participated in the creation of the Department of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Matching Fund in 1988.  Most of Matsuno's public service career has been with Neighborhoods and she looks forward to supporting the department during this period of transition.
 
Matsuno has said she is most proud of developing and piloting a Race Relations and Social Justice Fund and then making it a permanent part of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, which she also helped develop.
 
Chao’s last day as director is Jan. 31.