OLYMPIA, Wash. — Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink of West Richland has been elected vice president of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). The election was conducted by city leaders from across Washington state during AWC’s annual conference in Vancouver, Washington, held from June 18-21, 2024.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to work with my fellow city leaders to ensure AWC continues to deliver timely, relevant, and impactful advocacy, education, and services to every one of our state’s 281 cities and towns,” said Brink.

“During Mayor Pro Tem Brink’s tenure on the city council, he has exemplified strong leadership skills and compassion,” said West Richland Mayor Brent Gerry. “AWC is fortunate to have such a humble, committed, well-spoken individual on its team.”

“Mayor Pro Tem Brink is a thoughtful leader who can be counted on to bring forward practical solutions that will benefit not only West Richland, but all of our cities and towns,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “We are fortunate to have his leadership on the AWC board as we work to build strong cities and a great state.”

The vice president serves on the association’s board of directors and executive committee and is next in line to become president. 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.

More than 450 attendees representing over 130 cities and towns across Washington attended the AWC Annual Conference to learn about issues critical to the success of cities. The theme of this year’s conference was Livable, loveable cities, and keynote speaker Peter Kageyama shared his ideas on harnessing the passion people feel for the places they live to help build thriving communities. A highlight of the conference was a panel of distinguished leaders speaking to civic health and how cities are leading the way through divisive times. Sessions on infrastructure, emergency management, budgeting, legal requirements, the fentanyl crisis, and a wide array of other important topics rounded out the conference agenda.

Brink has served on the West Richland City Council since January 2018 and as Mayor Pro Tem since January 2020. He also serves as a commissioner for Benton County Fire District #4 and on the Benton County Law and Justice Council.

Brink has served on the AWC board since 2022. He currently serves on the Education and Training Advisory Committee and as AWC’s representative to the Washington State Emergency Management Council, and the governor’s Forensic Investigations Council. His previous contributions include work on the AWC Statement of Policy Committee as well as the AWC Legislative Priorities Committee. He has earned AWC’s Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership.

A veteran and graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, Fred Brink served on active duty as a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer for six years prior to his appointment as a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His 25-year FBI career included investigative assignments in several field offices, FBI Headquarters, an overseas assignment as the FBI’s Legal Attache to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a field command assignment as the Special Agent in Charge for the State of Mississippi.  After retiring from the FBI in 2009, Fred managed the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s counterintelligence program for 10 years.

Founded in 1933, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is a nonprofit corporation that represents Washington’s 281 cities and towns. AWC’s mission is to build connections between Washington state’s diverse cities and towns, while providing their members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education, nationally recognized pooling programs, and nonpartisan advocacy. Membership is voluntary; however, AWC consistently maintains 100 percent participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns. 

A complete list of AWC board of directors is available on the association’s  website.