One might call outgoing Assistant City Manager Derek Matheson the strong, silent type.

Silent in the sense that the 31-year-old stays out of the limelight, quietly but assuredly helping operate the controls of Washington's seventh largest city.

Strong because during his tenure in the city manager's office, Matheson has emerged as one of Federal Way's most effective advocates and one of its most forward-thinking city architects.

"I feel that these have been the best 12 years of my life," said Matheson, who reminded Fire Chief Al Church during a short farewell speech that he was an infant when the Chief joined the force.

"I've been truly blessed to work with so many wonderful people here," Matheson said.

The outgoing Assistant City Manager greeted a long line of supporters in his farewell party last Thursday who thanked him for his labor, his vision, and his passion to improve his community.

These are good times for Federal Way, now in its 17th year of incorporation, and they told Matheson they have him to thank for it.

And while the baby-faced city employee was often mistaken for a high school intern during his early years at City Hall, Matheson has indeed left a legacy of service that has spanned six mayors, three city managers, 13 councilmembers, seven department heads, and hundreds of community members.

He's a sharp dresser, they said. A detailed note taker, another added. A master of numbers and a levelheaded, friendly guy. Federal Way Mayor Mike Park said Matheson

His friends and colleagues at City Hall agreed on one thing: They'll miss him in Federal Way.

"He's very supportive, helpful, very competent," said Federal Way City Manager Neal Beets, "and a person of great character."

Beets said Derek played "an absolutely critical role" in securing the abandoned AMC theater property from the Cratsenberg family. The property stands as one of the crucial pieces of property the city wanted to acquire to achieve its downtown revitalization goals.

Patrick Doherty, the city's director of economic development, presented Matheson with a gift for his years of service to Federal Way. A framed series of photographs of City Hall commemorated Matheson's work in bringing the city government to its new home.

Councilwoman Linda Kochmar told the audience that Matheson helped on the project of establishing the headquarters of the new city, on time and on budget.

Police Chief Brian Wilson has known Matheson since his intern days in June of 1995. He said Matheson volunteered to help the force grow in its infancy.

"It become clear in very short order that Derek was someone very special," Wilson said.

"Not only is he intelligent, but he's very service oriented," the Chief added. "He never asked who hard the work was going to be, but asked 'How can I help?'"

"I thought, 'Someday I'm going to be working for this guy," Wilson said, eliciting a roar of laughter from the audience, "and, you know, that did happen."

Wilson reiterated the sentiments of many when he said: "The best of Derek has yet to come."

Matheson said being a city manager is more than a natural step in his career, but rather the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

After the departure of Derek Moseley last January, Matheson served as interim city manager for seventh months. He emerged as one of the finalists for the full-time position during the City Council's nation-wide search last spring, but current manager Neal Beets got the job.

Matheson announced recently that he plans to take the city manager position in Covington.

"I gave him my highest recommendation," Mayor Park told Matheson's supporters. Park said Matheson used him as a character reference, although the mayor said he had no idea Matheson had applied for the job.

"During the last 11 years with the city," Park said, "I believe he has developed tremendously and his career has blossomed."

His enjoyed his last day of work as Federal Way's assistant city manager last Friday. He and his wife, Meredith and daughter Lacey will continue to reside here, he told his supporters at his farewell party.

"Thanks for giving a chance to a young guy who just came in the door with the dream of being a city manager one day," Matheson said.