OLYMPIA, WA – Ruth Pérez, a councilmember in Renton, recently received an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in four core areas:

• Roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements
• Public sector resource management
• Community planning and development
• Effective local leadership

Those who earn the advanced certificate continue to strive for excellence by attending conferences and trainings, serving their community, and further developing leadership skills. There are currently 121 elected officials across Washington who hold an Advanced CML, including Renton’s mayor, Denis Law.

“Cities and towns around the state are continually transforming in light of changing laws and the need to meet new challenges and opportunities,” said AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King. “Our Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership recognizes mayors and councilmembers who continue to enhance the tools they need today to understand the legal landscape, plan for the future, manage their resources, and foster strong relationships. Councilmember Perez and others  who earn this certificate demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and a desire to bring new ideas back to their community.”

To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, Pérez completed more than 60 hours of training credits and demonstrated community service.

Pérez was appointed to the Renton City Council in 2014. She was elected to complete the term in 2015 and was reelected in 2017. She is Chair of Renton’s Utilities Committee, Vice-Chair of the Planning & Development Committee, and a member of the Transportation Committee.

AWC serves its members through advocacy, education and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. AWC also provides training, data and publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium.

Media Contact:

Tonia Sugarman
(360) 753-4137
tonias@awcnet.org