OLYMPIA — Mayor Josh Penner of Orting has been re-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. Penner will represent the 27 cities and towns in Pierce and Thurston counties.

“I’m honored to continue representing my fellow cities from Pierce and Thurston counties on the AWC board of directors,” said Penner. “I also look forward to continuing to work with city leaders from across Washington to address shared challenges and build vibrant communities.”

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.

“Mayor Penner is thoughtful leader who brings a strong passion for public service to the AWC board,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “I look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of our 281 Washington cities and towns.”

Penner has served as Mayor of Orting since 2018 and was on the Orting City Council from 2012 to 2017. He was raised in Bonney Lake and graduated from Sumner High School. Penner served in the United States Marine Corps and has twice chaired the Pierce County Regional Council and is co-founder of the Pacific Northwest Veterans Coalition.

Penner was first elected to the AWC board in 2022. He has served on AWC’s Legislative Priorities Committee, Statement of Policy Committee, and Nominating Committee and now represents the board on the AWC Employee Benefits Trust and Healthcare Program.

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.

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