Community Development Director Charles ‘Chip’ Davis retiring after 16 years

After 16 years, Burien Community Development Director Charles “Chip” Davis will retiring from the city.

Davis has spent over 40 years working in public service.

His last day will be May 31, 2019.

“The City is grateful for his over 16 years of service here in the City of Burien,” the city said. “Between now and May 31, 2019, Director Davis will be out of the office for several periods. City Attorney Marshall will oversee the Community Development Department during these time periods.”

The city has hired BERK consulting firm to conduct a review of community development services in May and June. City and community stakeholders will be interviewed regarding what is going well and identify ways to enhance the services that are provided. This information will help inform new leadership moving forward. A hiring and selection process will be conducted in May with the goal of having a new community development director in place by August 1, 2019.

“It’s hard to measure the profound influence Chip Davis has had on our community,” Brian J. Wilson, Burien City Manager said. “His involvements in project such as Burien Town Square and the Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) have helped establish Burien’s forward growth. His experience and calm leadership will be missed.”

Davis started his career in Umatilla County, Oregon as a zoning administrator. He then worked as a circuit-riding planner for the East Central Oregon Association of Counties, providing planning services for a number of rural cities and counties. In 1981, he moved to the Spokane Transit Authority, where he worked for 14 years in various positions. Davis also worked in the private sector for seven years, working on telecommunications planning and zoning issues. In 2002, he was hired as a contract planner by the City of Burien. He worked his way up from planner, to senior planner, and was selected as the community development director in 2013.

“From my first job to today, what energizes me most is working with people,” Davis said. “I love working at the counter, helping people solve problems. I also love the great team we have here in Burien.”

Davis graduated from the University of Washington with an undergraduate degree in urban and regional planning. He also conducted graduate studies at Eastern Washington University in urban/regional planning and development.

Davis’s next plans include spending more time with his family and making up for “hundreds of night meetings.” This includes spending time with his son’s family, including two grandsons, who live in Korčula, Croatia.

In other moves, the City of Burien’s Economic Development Manager Andrea Snyder recently accepted a position as the Deputy City Administrator for the City of Issaquah. Chris Craig, who has been serving as the Economic Development Specialist, is serving as the Interim Economic Development Manager.