OLYMPIA, Wash. — Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink of West Richland has been elected 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 Kennewick, Washington, held from June 24-27, 2025.
“I’m honored to serve as AWC president and to represent the voices of our cities and towns from all across Washington state,” said Brink. “I look forward to working collaboratively to strengthen our communities and ensure that every city – large or small – has the tools it needs to thrive.”
“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 as AWC President as we work to build strong cities and a great state.”
The president leads the AWC Board of Directors, 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 representing the Washington City/County Management Association.
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.
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 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, the AWC Legislative Priorities Committee, and the AWC Education and Training Advisory 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, Brink 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.