OLYMPIA, Wash. — Mayor Dee Roberts of Raymond has been elected to the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) board of directors. The election was conducted by city leaders from across the state at the AWC Annual Conference in Vancouver, Washington, held from June 18-21, 2024. Roberts, who was first appointed to the AWC board in February, will represent cities and towns in Western Washington with populations below 5,000 people.

“I understand the struggles that small cities face, from failing infrastructure to unfunded mandates,” says Roberts. “I am passionate about finding solutions to these challenges, and I know that AWC is a great partner to small cities in our efforts.”

Mayor Roberts has served on the AWC Small Cities Advisory Committee, Education and Training Advisory Committee, and Risk Management Service Agency Board of Directors, and holds AWC’s Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership.

“Mayor Roberts’ experience as an elected leader of a small city and a former clerk/treasurer give her a unique perspective that adds a great value to the AWC board,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “She is an active and engaged leader who has earned the respect of her peers.”

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.

Roberts bring over 25 years of municipal service to the AWC Board, having served as clerk/treasurer for the City of South Bend for 24 years, combined with 14 years on the Raymond City Council before being elected mayor in 2022.

In addition to many years of city service, Roberts serves the larger community as chair of the Pacific County Emergency Management Council and on the Pacific County Transit Board, Pacific County Council of Governments, and Pacific County Economic Development Council.

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.

Founded in 1933, 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.