OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) has elected new officers and directors to the AWC Board of Directors. The election was conducted by city leaders from across Washington state during the AWC’s annual conference in Kennewick, Washington, held from June 24-27, 2025.
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 ex-officio members who are non-elected city officials representing the Washington City/County Management Association (WCMA).
In addition to board officers, half of the district positions and two at-large districts were up for election. The secretary of the association also assumed office after being elected by the AWC board in February.
AWC officers for 2025-2026:
- President: Fred Brink, Mayor Pro Tem, West Richland
- Vice President: Jon Nehring, Mayor, Marysville
- Secretary: Matthew Lundh, Mayor, Cle Elum
- Past President: Amy Ockerlander, Mayor, Duvall
Newly elected board members:
- District 1: Terri Cooper, Mayor, Medical Lake
- District 4: Ashley Lara, Mayor, Grandview
- District 6: Terry Carter, Mayor, Bonney Lake
- District 5: Ty Stober, Councilmember, Vancouver*
- District 7: Angela Birney, Mayor, Redmond
- District 14: TJ Fantini, Councilmember, Anacortes
- Incoming WCMA President: Laura Philpot, City Administrator, Maple Valley
*Elected after having been appointed by the AWC board in February to fill a vacant position
Reelected board members:
- District 3: Carl Florea, Mayor, Leavenworth
- District 13: Nancy Backus, Mayor, Auburn
- At-Large #1: Ed Prince, Councilmember, Renton
- At-Large #3: Ben Wick, Councilmember, Spokane Valley
AWC CEO Deanna Dawson welcomed the new and returning board members and officers. “This is an exceptionally thoughtful and committed group of city leaders, and I am excited to work together to build strong cities and a great state,” said Dawson.
More than 500 officials representing 162 cities and towns across Washington attended the AWC Annual Conference to learn about issues critical to the success of cities. Attendees participated in over 45 educational sessions on topics ranging from legal roles and responsibilities to budgeting, infrastructure planning, collaborative leadership, our state’s economic outlook, emerging technologies and more.
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% 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.