Peter Mayer Email & Phone Number

Tukwila, Washington, United States

Stepping in to help stabilize department operations and support the Public Works staff responsible for operating and maintaining streets, water, sewer and storm water systems, designing and engineering our utilities and transportation infrastructure and maintaining over 300 unique fleet vehicles and equipment and diverse public facilities.

Tukwila, Washington, United States

Under the direction of the Mayor and City Administrator, providing senior leadership assistance in the management of City operations, including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Emergency Management, Technology and Innovative Services, Capital Improvement Planning, Capital Budget, and Safety and Risk Management. Helping drive alignment and work plan development and coordination between the activities of multiple departments and divisions. Supporting the deployment of cross-departmental teams to plan and implement projects and initiatives, encouraging curiosity, collaboration, teamwork, efficiencies and improved customer experience.

Pacific Northwest

Consulting with local governments and non-profits on business and operational strategies, special projects and initiatives, government relations and coalition building. Developing workforce development plans including talent acquisition and retention strategies, workforce forecasting, and recommending promising and best practices supporting business needs. Collaborated with clients to identify business needs and work products, developed business proposals, scopes of work and budgets.

Tukwila, Washington, United States

Appointed and confirmed as the new permanent Director of Tukwila Parks and Recreation- responsible for the administration and leadership of a dynamic portfolio of parks, programs, events and facilities. Provide support to the Arts Commission, Parks Commission, and Library Advisory Board. Home to over 150 acres of open space including parks, multi-use trails, Foster Golf Links, and the Tukwila Community Center. The mission of the Tukwila Parks and Recreation is to enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors through a quality system of public spaces, programs and events that enhance and promote opportunities for health and fitness, personal growth, relaxation, community connection, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Tukwila, Washington, United States

Under the administrative direction of the Mayor and City Administrator, performing a variety of managerial, professional and administrative work in budgeting, organizational development, planning, project management and coordinating the overall activities and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department. Delivering recreation, fitness, sports, enrichment and cultural arts activities to over 20,000 community members- celebrating the rich diversity where more than half of Tukwila residents speak a language other than English at home and 80+ languages spoken in the Tukwila School District. Helping steward 150 acres of open space including parks, multi-use trails, Foster Golf Links and the Tukwila Community Center. Championing the implementation of the community's vision for its future park system- including identified investments of over $12.2 million to enhance existing parks and $18.5 million for four proposed parks, as well as working to secure adequate maintenance and operation funds to assure safe, accessible and quality parks and facilities. Responsible for a $8.5 million biennial operating budget and supporting over 32 full-time staff.

Tukwila, Washington, United States

While serving as the Parks and Recreation Director also lending expertise to help drive organizational alignment, optimize agency internal operations, and provide policy, intergovernmental and leadership support to the Mayor, Administrator and City Council. Lead multiple cross departmental project teams, facilitate weekly city leadership meetings, and respond to and coordinate city response to emergent issues and opportunities.

Tumwater, Wa

Chief Executive Officer of Washington State Parks- a system covering more than 137,000 acres, 125 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 700 miles of trails. Responsible for executing the agency's strategic plan, oversight of 1,000 employees, including 170 commissioned law enforcement officers, fiscal management of $212 million operating and $103 million capital budget, and supporting a seven member Commission in the governance of the agency. Supervised Assistant Agency Directors for Operations, Park Development, Administrative Services and Directors of Policy/Legislative Affairs, Communications, Human Resources and Executive Assistant.o Toured 90+ state parks meeting park operations and management staff identifying key themes and priorities for the agency;o Advanced the Commission’s priorities for diversity, equity and inclusion through internal and external workshops and listening sessions; affinity group representation on hiring panels, and developing and hiring the first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion;o Facilitated the development of an agency-wide biennial work plan;o Introduced new cross-functional team approaches to further the Commission’s priorities for developing long-distance trails, including a new Statewide Trails Program Manager position;o Facilitated a multi-faceted organizational assessment and development process to support the agency’s leadership transition, Commission priorities and Legislatures’ policy agenda.

Tacoma-Pierce County

Chief Operating Officer of a nationally accredited and NRPA Gold Medal Award winning metropolitan park district serving over 213,000 residents in Tacoma, WA. Supported the Executive Director and elected Board of Park Commissioners in the governance, policy development, strategic direction, and overall operations of a 3,000-acre park and recreation system featuring two accredited zoos and aquarium, an accredited living history museum, four community centers, a nature center, marina, golf course, arboretum, parks, trails, and programs.Responsible for the agency’s $128 million operating and $54.6 million capital budget and led the Business and Innovations Department with a $12.6 million budget supporting Marketing/Resource Development; Communications/Intergovernmental Relations; Technology/Innovation; Human Resources/Organizational Development; Risk Management/Emergency Preparedness; and Finance/Business Services.Collaborated with the Executive Director to form and lead an Equity Team and helped secure external community expertise to advise, support and inform our diversity, equity, and inclusion actions. Implemented changes to hiring policies and practices, procurement, advisory board recruitment, community engagement strategies and job applicant data collection/analysis. Led the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic supporting recovery efforts while addressing a projected $18 million budget gap. Formed a “Remote and Return to Work” strategy team to support District-wide remote working and phased re-opening of administrative and office spaces.Developed alliances with key community stakeholders including the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, Tacoma-Pierce County Health, and University of Washington-Tacoma. Coordinated business planning and analysis, technology strategic planning, partner assessments, and process improvement initiatives. Formed and supported cross-functional work teams to better align agency workflow and improve collaboration.

Everett And Lynnwood, Washington

Led the day to day operations of a municipal corporation with 162 FTE's and an annual budget of $20 million dedicated to improving the health of individuals, families and communities through disease prevention, health promotion and protection from environmental threats. Assisted the Director/Health Officer in facilitating the work of a 15 member Board of Health, representing communities throughout Snohomish County and over 713,000 citizens.Supervised the support divisions including Human Resources, Information Services, Finance and Communications as well as the operational divisions of the district that included Community Health, Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Control. Also served as the Incident Commander to coordinate the district's response to emergencies throughout Snohomish County (over 700,000 population) as well as lead multi-county response for Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island Counties.Served as the agency's Incident Commander during the SR530/Oso Mudslide and Flooding Event, providing support to first responders and volunteers.Facilitated an update to the agency's strategic plan and facilitated the transition toward population based public health services. Secured a partnership with the William D. Ruckelshaus Center to conduct an assessment of the District's services, funding, and governance structures through a neutral facilitation and collaborative decision making process. Facilitated a major re-design of the District's main offices and clinic to address deficient HVAC systems, improved customer service, more collaborative work spaces and improved opportunities for tenant leasing.Initiated regular labor-management meetings with union leaders and successfully negotiated the renewal of 4 labor agreements and 2 new labor agreements.

Vancouver, Wa

Led a consolidated City and County parks and recreation agency in coordination with the Greater Clark Park District serving over 430,000 residents. System assets included over 190 parks yielding 7,200 acres of parks and open space, 65 miles of trails, and 3 award winning community centers visited by over 1 million visitors. Combined operating resources approximately $17 million and 75 full-time employees and over 350 temporary and part-time staff. Facilitated policy work of a 13 member Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Collaboratively managed 10 Park Impact Fee (PIF) sub districts, City and County Real Estate Excise (REET) Tax funds, County-wide Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) proceeds, and state and federal grants to support capital development activities. Helped plan and implement the strategy that addressed a structural deficit of $32 million with a year-long priority of government process using the city’s strategic plan. Planned and implemented first park fee increase in over 17 years to help address over $3.6 million in parks and recreation service reductions. Planned and implemented a year-long regional parks and recreation planning process with elected officials and community members from six Southwest Washington cities leading to a new strategic funding and governance initiative and metropolitan park district ballot measure. Guided greater integration and streamlining of staff functions, negotiation of new collective bargaining agreements, comprehensive update of city and county park codes, expanded use of customer management technology, greater volunteerism and adopt-a-park initiatives and new community partnerships. Secured unanimous support from Vancouver City Council to implement tobacco free parks.

Mercer Island, Wa

Promoted to Assistant City Manager while retaining Parks and Recreation Director responsibilities. Assisted City Manager in facilitating City Council policy development and implementation. Led the strategic planning effort leading to the merger of previously separate GIS and IT functions into a new Information and Geographic Services Group (IGS). Secured city-wide and council support for additional IGS staffing and facilitated the replacement of a 20+year telecommunications system;Responsible for and provided direct oversight of the city-wide capital improvement program (CIP) representing over $35 million in investments for streets, utilities, facilities, fleet, public safety, parks and technology. Facilitated project management team meetings and provided regular updates to the city councilServed on the management negotiation team, helping broker a new labor contract for parks, public works and city hall employees.

Mercer Island, Wa

Operational responsibility for diverse 475 acre urban parks and recreation system with 27 full-time and 60 part-time staff. Directed a $4 million annual operations and maintenance budget and $3.8 million annual capital budget. Executive liaison to 5 citizen and elected official advisory boards and commissions, including Arts Commission, Ballfield User Group, Senior Commission, City Council Parks and Recreation Sub-Committee and the Open Space Conservancy Trust Board.Facilitated the planning, development and construction of a new $13.1 million 46,000+ sq ft. community center through multiple planning and design public forums, meetings and workshops. Participated in value engineering/analysis process to reduce costs while maintaining design efficiency and effectiveness. Authored the Department’s Parks and Recreation 6-Year Comprehensive Plan, negotiated transfer of 76 acre Luther Burbank Park from King County Parks to the City, led 2 year public involvement and master planning process for Luther Burbank Park as well as negotiated and help acquire 3 additional open space properties. Served as Project Manager for 9 Puget Sound cities in the planning and development of a parks and recreation activity registration and facility search web portal- a one-stop website enabling citizens to search, register and pay for activities across multiple jurisdictions. Brokered joint facility use agreements with the Boys & Girls Club and Mercer Island School District, including reciprocal usage terms. Planned and implemented a new shared facility scheduling/activity registration software system between the City and School District to enable more effective scheduling and management of the community's athletic fields and parks.

Mount Vernon, Washington

Administered and supervised all functions and staff of the Parks, Trails and Fairgrounds Divisions, including routine maintenance and operations, capital equipment purchases and facility construction projects. Planned, coordinated and directed capital park projects, grant requests, long and short range comprehensive planning, marketing and promotions, and material and bid specifications. Developed and monitored a budget of over $700,000 with 7 full-time and 20 part-time staff serving a population of over 105,000 people. Maintained over 25 parks/1,700 acres and special use areas, including: shorelines, trails, day-use and developed overnight camping areas, forested areas, swim beaches, and county fairground facilities.Served as fiscal sponsor and grant manager for a tri-county (Whatcom-Skagit-Snohomish) snowmobile trail grooming grant supporting the annual operations of two snow groomers to maintain snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in the western Cascades.

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area

Managed and administered an 850-acre, 380 site family campground that attracted approximately 40,000 campers and 140,000 visitors annually with a operations revenue budget of over $500,000. Supervised 25 seasonal and full-time employees, contractors, apprentices, interns, volunteers and represented trades and labor in the maintenance and operation of a full-service campground. Established and managed a camping supply and outdoor rental equipment center. Responsible for campground recreation program implementation and evaluation. Total Quality Team Leader in increasing campground occupancy.A member of a new team of leaders asked to help prepare the organization for increased competition, diminished tax funding and challenged to improve staff morale and teamwork. Responsible for the implementation of customer service training programs, regionalized employee work teams, new employee training and orientation programs, and employee-empowered project investment teams.

M.S., Parks And Recreation Administration

Certificate, Cascade Public Executive Program

B.A., Parks And Recreation Administration

Geography, Parks And Recreation, Conservation

University program focused on geography and urban planning, parks, recreation and conservation.

Education record