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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
November 17, 2006
Contact: PJ Callahan
Phone: (360) 337-4481
No. 06-95
County Announces
Selection of New Community Development Director
 PORT
ORCHARD, WA—Kitsap
County
announced today that Larry Keeton, former Lewis County Chief of Staff, has
been appointed as the new director of the Department of Community
Development (DCD). Keeton has over 30 years experience in public
administration, strategic planning, human resource development, emergency
communications and project management. He joined Lewis County in 2001 as
Director of General Administration before being promoted to Chief of Staff
in 2004. Prior to joining
Lewis
County,
Keeton retired from the U.S. Army as a Garrison Commander in
Fort Jackson,
South Carolina, where he served in a position equivalent to a City Manager.
Keeton
holds a Masters in Public Administration from Troy University in Alabama, a
Masters in Education from Oregon State University and a B.A. in Political
Science from the
University of
California,
Davis.
As the
new director of DCD, Keeton will work hand-in-hand with assistant directors
Jim Bolger and Jeff Rowe-Hornbaker, and will have overall responsibility for
planning, organizing and directing the development, implementation and
enforcement of county policies and procedures related to community planning,
building code, natural resources, fire investigation/fire inspection, zoning
and land use administration within unincorporated areas of Kitsap County.
“We
were looking for a dynamic and talented leader to serve as the county’s
Community Development Director,” said Jan Angel, Chair of the Kitsap Board
of County Commissioners, “and with Mr. Keeton, we feel we have achieved that
goal.”
Keeton
was selected from more than 40 applicants from throughout the nation. “Larry
is strong leader who has a rock-solid experience in effectively managing
people and projects,” said Cris Gears, County Administrator. “He is
passionate about customer service and accountability, and is well aware of
the challenges and opportunities he will face as the new DCD director.”
Some
of the professional challenges Keeton will be asked to address during his
first 18 months of employment include community outreach, organizational
analysis, staffing continuity, integrating technology systems, refining an
online permitting system and keeping up with amendments and updates to the
county’s Comprehensive Plan to maintain compliance with the Growth
Management Act. He will oversee the department’s 87 employees and a $7.4
million annual budget. His annual salary will be $101,732.
“I’m
excited about serving the citizens of Kitsap County while working with the
tremendous talent in the Community Development Department,” Keeton said.
“The management team and I agree that our priorities are improving business
processes, meeting the land use planning challenges and enhancing employees’
skills. It’s going to be fun coming to work everyday."
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