HomeMy WebLinkAbout120914_Council appoints Ruth Perez
rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
December 9, 2014
For more information contact:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator 425-430-6569
City Council Appoints Ruth Perez as New Councilmember to Fill Vacant Seat
Official oath of office ceremony scheduled January 5, 2015
Renton, WA: On Monday, December 8, following the interviews of thirteen qualified applicants, City
Councilmembers deliberated and appointed Ms. Ruth C. Perez to fill the seat of Councilmember Terri
Briere, who passed away on November 9.
“I am very excited about the appointment of Ruth Perez to the City Council,” said Mayor Denis Law.
“Ruth has an extensive background in public service, and is a progressive leader in the Latino
community in Renton. We welcome her professional expertise, extensive knowledge, and diverse
background in community building, government relations, and civic engagement. Her contributions will
be extremely valuable and a great addition to the City Council.”
Perez brings a strong background in public service to the City Council. She has a BA in Communication
Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. She started her career as a television
reporter and later was the editor-in-chief and founder of three magazines. She worked for the
Washington State Department for Trade and Economic Development during Governor Gary Locke’s
first trade mission to Mexico in 1999, where she arranged press conferences and interviews as well as
providing comprehensive support to over 100 Washington business es and education delegates
traveling with Governor Locke. During this mission, she met the Consul of Mexico in Seattle and he
offered her a position at the Consulate of Mexico.
“Ruth Perez has exceptional qualifications and outstanding civic and professional experience,” said
Council President Don Persson. “In addition to her impressive resume she brings compassion and a
desire to listen to people. The Council looks forward to her service.”
“I’m honored to be selected, and I look forward to the oppor tunity to serve the Renton Community,"
said Perez. “Renton is very diverse and culturally rich. Each neighborhood area has its own needs and
requirements in order to be all that they can be. We need to work together to develop those areas into
the kind of city we want to live in. I am ready to embrace the responsibilities of City Councilmember
with determination, integrity, and goodwill.”
During her time as a foreign diplomat, Perez was responsible for promoting educational, health and
economic development programs and managing complex projects on matters ranging from public and
international relations to international trade, education and public health all over Washington State.
Perez has a distinguished record of accomplishments that include her sustained and successful support
for underserved and multicultural communities in this region, her effective advocacy for bicultural
educational programs and her persistent effort implementing public health programs. Perez said that
out of the many roles she has played in her lifetime, she believes th is particular job may have helped
prepare her the most for what she is about to encounter as a newly appointed public servant.
“I want to give back to this community that has given so much to me. I want to be part of building a
strong and healthy community,” said Perez. “Our city should be a desired location for many businesses
to locate and grow. We all want Renton to become the best city in King County both for businesses to
prosper and for residents to enjoy in a safe environment.”
The Renton City Council will conduct an Oath of Office ceremony for Ms. Perez at its regular meeting
scheduled on Monday, January 5, 2015.
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