By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The City of SeaTac has appointed former Seattle Chief Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington as its new deputy city manager; a move city leaders say will strengthen operations as the city prepares for growth and major regional demands.
City Manager Jonathan Young recently announced the appointment, citing Washington’s experience managing large-scale government systems and multi-billion-dollar budgets as key factors in her selection.
Washington, who brings more than 15 years of public-sector experience, most recently served as chief deputy mayor for the City of Seattle, where she acted as the mayor’s top advisor and oversaw policy, operations and crisis response. In that role, she helped co-manage Seattle’s $7 billion biennial budget.
“Tiffany’s demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations, support teams in delivering meaningful results, and maintain public trust in fast-paced, complex environments make her exactly the kind of leader SeaTac needs as we continue to grow and evolve as a city,” said Young.
In SeaTac, Washington will oversee day-to-day operations and work to ensure City Council priorities are carried out across departments. Her role places her at the center of the city’s administrative structure, serving as a key link between executive leadership and department directors.
For SeaTac residents, the deputy city manager role directly shapes how efficiently city services are delivered, from housing and infrastructure to public safety and economic development. As the city prepares for continued growth and increased regional pressure, leadership at this level can influence how quickly projects move forward and how effectively resources are managed. The position also plays a key role in ensuring that policy decisions translate into measurable outcomes for the community.
The appointment comes at a time when SeaTac is navigating increased regional attention and long-term planning tied to economic development, housing and infrastructure, including preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and development around the Angle Lake light rail station.
“They’re preparing for FIFA, focusing on expanding housing and diversity affordability, which is important to me,” said Washington. “My focus is going to be ensuring we have the infrastructure systems and alignment needed to meet expectations.”
Washington said those dynamics were part of what drew her to the position.
“SeaTac is a city that reflects the full richness and complexity of our region, and that’s exactly what draws me to this work,” said Washington. “I’m honored to join a team that is deeply committed to its community and to building an organization that lives its values every day.”
Before joining the Seattle mayor’s office, Washington held senior leadership roles in the Seattle Department of Human Services and the Department of Education and Early Learning. Her work contributed to major regional initiatives, including the Seattle Promise program and the Seattle Youth Employment Program.
Her career also includes early work in community-based organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and the Mockingbird Society, where she focused on youth development and advocacy for foster youth across Washington.
City officials say that background, combined with her experience in government, positions her to manage both the operational and community-facing demands of the role.
Washington said a key part of her approach will be strengthening internal systems to ensure the city can meet growing expectations.
“Usually when I say operations people are like ‘Oh, that sounds really fun,’ but they’re the backbone of an effective government,” said Washington. “Strong operations is what allows the city to deliver on its commitments.”
Her appointment also reflects a broader focus on balancing immediate service demands with long-term planning as SeaTac continues to grow.
“An ongoing challenge in local government is really balancing urgent needs with long-term strategy,” said Washington. “It requires coordination, clear communication, and strong internal systems.”
“SeaTac has tremendous, untapped potential. As we prepare for the 2026 World Cup and develop our first downtown core at the Angle Lake station, we are leaning into exciting growth,” said Young. “Because our city is so culturally diverse and economically vulnerable, we must work with urgency to create affordable pathways to homeownership, so we don’t displace our community. I’m delighted to have Tiffany here; she brings the authentic, results-oriented leadership SeaTac needs to reach the next level.”
