Federal Way Mayor-elect Jim Ferrell is changing the city’s management structure, moving current Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) Chief Brian Wilson to a new position as chief of staff, he announced in a press release Monday. Wilson will be replaced, on an interim basis, by current FWPD Deputy Police Chief Andy Hwang.
“I am pleased that our directors have all agreed to continue working for the community,” said Ferrell in the release. “City staff has done tremendous work to provide high-quality services to the community, even during difficult recessionary years. That’s an indication of the quality of the management team, as well, and it’s important to keep this team together.”
Wilson said he was pleased to be Ferrell’s chief of staff.
“I’m honored and privileged to be asked by Mayor-elect Ferrell to be his chief of staff,” he said in an email to The Mirror. “I look forward to assisting him with the management and leadership of operations, initiatives and projects within the city.”
Wilson also noted that after 33 years (the last 17 here in Federal Way) in law enforcement, the opportunities and challenges of this new position are ones he embraces.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me personally after a law enforcement career that has spanned the last 33 years and eight months. While I am a little anxious to be a non-commissioned/non-police employee, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead,” he concluded.
Hwang expressed his gratitude to Ferrell and others for this opportunity.
“I want to thank Mayor Ferrell for giving me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead this great organization,” Hwang said in an email to The Mirror. “I am honored and thrilled to step into this new role. I also want to thank the men and women of the Federal Way Police Department for their support – I certainly would not have achieved the success I have without their support day in and day out over the years.”
Hwang outlined what he hopes to be able to accomplish at the helm of FWPD.
“My primary reason for seeking the job as the chief is the desire to continue to support and serve the outstanding men and women of the Federal Way Police Department, and to play a key role in keeping our community safe,” he wrote. “I look forward to serving the members of the Federal Way Police Department, advancing the agency’s reputation not only in South King County, but throughout the region and state. I have great confidence in our people and we are committed to building on the department’s 18-year history to take this agency to the next level of effectiveness and innovation to serve our community.”
Ferrell, in a phone interview with The Mirror, indicated that the city will have an open hiring process for the chief’s position in the near future. Because of former finance director Tho Krause’s somewhat unexpected departure in the fall, Ferrell said the city wants to finish the hiring process for that position, before engaging in the full hiring process for a new police chief.
Wilson’s new chief of staff position is described as assisting with the “day-to-day management duties,” which Ferrell hopes will allow him to “focus more effort on economic development, regional, state and federal partnerships, and community outreach.” The mayor-elect added that he feels this move is akin to “putting on a full court press” to bring new business and investment opportunities to the city.
The remainder of Ferrell’s management team will include City Attorney Pat Richardson, Parks and Public Works Director Cary Roe, Community and Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty, Human Resources Manager Jean Stanley, Communications and Government Affairs Coordinator Chris Carrel, Interim Finance Director Bob Noland, Information Technology Manager Thomas Fichtner, Court Administrator Sue White and Executive Assistant Kathy Arndt.
