Tanja Carter was appointed as the City’s economic development director on Nov. 15 after unanimous confirmed by the Federal Way City Council. Carter takes over the role beginning Thursday, Dec. 15.

“Federal Way is fortunate to have Tanja fill this important role. Her impressive background and forward- thinking approach to economic development will pay dividends for our community for years to come. I know Tanja is ready to get to work, as we continue to transform our City into the regional leader Federal Way is meant to be,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell.

The economic development director is a fully-funded replacement position.

Carter comes to Federal Way most recently from SeaTac where she currently serves as economic development strategist. Her extensive background carried her on international assignments in Dubai, Munich and throughout Europe.

Carter has South King County ties, working for the City of Auburn as economic development officer. She has owned and managed The Missing Link Brand Engineers (Seattle, Munich, and Dubai) and served as economic development director for GAA-Marta Consulting in the United Arab Emirates.

She earned a bachelor’s in economics from American University in Washington D.C. Carter also holds a real estate investment banking certificate from the European Business School. In her free time, she is an avid skier, enjoys mountain biking, is a concert violinist, and is trilingual (speaking English, German, and Spanish).

The City of Federal Way engaged the Prothman Company to conduct a national search for a replacement director. Interview process include members of the mayor’s management team, Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO Rebecca Martin, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Councilmember Erica Norton and Mayor Jim Ferrell.