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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Team Constantine

News   November 20, 2009 at 12:37 pm Josh Feit

King County Executive-Elect Dow Constantine announced his staff assignments today. Constantine takes office on Tuesday.

  • Ronda Berry, currently the city administrator in Tukwila will serve as the assistant deputy executive for operations.
  • Sung Yang, currently the chief of staff for Seattle City Light, will serve as the director of government and labor relations.
  • Carrie Cihak, currently senior principal legislative analyst for the county council, will serve as the director of strategic initiatives.
  • Frank Abe, currently the communications director for the county council, will serve as director of communications.
  • Steve Call, currently a consultant in private practice, will serve as interim budget director.
  • Lorrie McKay, currently state and federal relations manager in the executive’s office, will serve as director of customer service.

Constantine has already announced that state Sen. Fred Jarrett (D-41) will be his chief of staff.

Erica here: It’s worth noting that Constantine’s new team doesn’t include either of his top two current staffers, both of whom worked on his campaign. Chief of staff Chris Arkills and communications director James Bush will move over to the county’s transportation department.

Sung Yang held a similar job to his new county assignment at the city of Seattle, where he was Greg Nickels’ liaison to the city council; Cihak had a top position on the council’s central staff; and Call, a member of Constantine’s transition team, served as budget director under Ron Sims.

In response to Glenn’s question in the comments: Sims’ longtime communications director Caroline Duncan took a job in the private sector several weeks ago.




  • Glenn Fleishman

    What happens to Ron’s communications director, Carolyn Duncan?

  • Glenn Fleishman

    What happens to Ron’s communications director, Carolyn Duncan?

  • Clif

    Carrie is fantastic and will do an amazing job! Frank Abe is great too, and I will miss both of them “here,” but look forward to working with both of them “there.”

    This is a good initial gathering…

  • what.me.worry

    I thought Ceis was going to be around somewhere – or was that just for the transition?

  • what.me.worry

    I thought Ceis was going to be around somewhere – or was that just for the transition?

  • lucjd

    Ceis is just there for transition, apparently.

  • lucjd

    Ceis is just there for transition, apparently.

  • Marcus

    Chris Arkills was a tremendous asset to Constantine’s legislative office, providing much-needed leadership. I’m surprised –and sorry– to see he is not part of Team Constantine.

  • Marcus

    Chris Arkills was a tremendous asset to Constantine’s legislative office, providing much-needed leadership. I’m surprised –and sorry– to see he is not part of Team Constantine.

  • Alice Roosevelt

    My understanding is that Ceis will stay around until Jan 1 and then move on. I don’t think he ever was intended to stay around.

  • Alice Roosevelt

    My understanding is that Ceis will stay around until Jan 1 and then move on. I don’t think he ever was intended to stay around.

  • gossip queen

    I’d imagine Arkills is pooped after the campaign. But what are they going to do in transportation?

  • gossip queen

    I’d imagine Arkills is pooped after the campaign. But what are they going to do in transportation?

  • Alice Roosevelt

    I think it is important to have great staff with a connection to Dow in transportation. Sounds like it will be a good move for Chris and James.

    Curious to see who will round out the rest of his staff. I wonder if they will bring new people into economic development and if the last of Dow’s Council staff, Jenny, will go with him or stay with the Council office.

  • Alice Roosevelt

    I think it is important to have great staff with a connection to Dow in transportation. Sounds like it will be a good move for Chris and James.

    Curious to see who will round out the rest of his staff. I wonder if they will bring new people into economic development and if the last of Dow’s Council staff, Jenny, will go with him or stay with the Council office.

  • LiaoM

    Chris was very accessible, wonderful problem-solver at all levels. Smart man. Transportation is lucky to have him.

  • LiaoM

    Chris was very accessible, wonderful problem-solver at all levels. Smart man. Transportation is lucky to have him.

  • Lou123

    Carrie is one of the brightest minds on the 12th floor and knows the county inside and out. Smart pick.

  • Lou123

    Carrie is one of the brightest minds on the 12th floor and knows the county inside and out. Smart pick.

  • transitnerd

    Arkills is a total transportation wonk; he’ll serve Constantine well in DOT. One of these days, he should run for office himself.

  • transitnerd

    Arkills is a total transportation wonk; he’ll serve Constantine well in DOT. One of these days, he should run for office himself.

  • Vin

    @1- Carolyn is moving on

  • Vin

    @1- Carolyn is moving on

  • ktstine

    Chris Arkills rocks.

  • ktstine

    Chris Arkills rocks.

  • ktstine

    And so does Lorrie McKay.

  • ktstine

    And so does Lorrie McKay.

  • borisswartz

    @2: Abe is good? Since when?

  • borisswartz

    @2: Abe is good? Since when?

  • Seattle Resident

    Chris and James are awesome, glad they will still be around.

    Sung Yang is smart, but has few ‘relations’ skills. Why do people keep putting him in kinds of positions? He’d be better in the back room crafting a well-researched paper that someone with outstanding people skills could then sell to decision-makers.

  • Seattle Resident

    Chris and James are awesome, glad they will still be around.

    Sung Yang is smart, but has few ‘relations’ skills. Why do people keep putting him in kinds of positions? He’d be better in the back room crafting a well-researched paper that someone with outstanding people skills could then sell to decision-makers.

  • Alice Roosevelt

    Rumor alert that Northcroft is leaving.

  • Alice Roosevelt

    Rumor alert that Northcroft is leaving.

  • Clif

    Carrie is fantastic and will do an amazing job! Frank Abe is great too, and I will miss both of them “here,” but look forward to working with both of them “there.”

    This is a good initial gathering…