Councilmember Zack Zappone of Spokane was recently elected to serve as large city representative on the executive committee of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

As a member of the six-person AWC executive committee, Councilmember Zappone will serve on the organization’s budget committee, on the governing board for the AWC Workers’ Comp Retro Program, and on the board of AWC Center for Quality Communities, a separate foundation.

“I’m honored to be chosen to serve on the AWC Executive Committee,” said Councilmember Zappone. “Large cities face unique challenges, from public safety to housing and homelessness. I am excited to work with other elected officials across the state to advocate for our shared interests.”

Councilmember Zappone has served on the AWC Board of Directors since being appointed by the City of Spokane in 2022. He was elected to the Spokane City Council in 2021.

“I am excited to have Councilmember Zappone with me and engaged in AWC leadership,” said Spokane Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson, who was recently elected to serve as AWC President. “He brings a fresh perspective to the organization on engagement and reaching a different demographic of newer elected officials. His voice will be extremely valuable.”

Zappone graduated from Georgetown University and has a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University. He is a sixth-generation Eastern Washingtonian, a high school English and social studies teacher, and a public health worker.

“Councilmember Zappone has such a strong energy and a can-do attitude that is truly contagious on this board,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “We are excited to have Zack in a leadership role this year.”

The AWC board of directors is the association’s governing body. The board is comprised of 25 directors, 23 of whom are mayors or city councilmembers from Washington cities or towns, and two non-elected city officials who also serve as the president and past president of the Washington City/County Management Association.

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. Membership is voluntary. However, AWC consistently maintains 100% participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns.

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.

A complete list of AWC Board of Directors is available on the association’s website.