Contact:
Kent Patton
Kent.Patton@snoco.org
425-388-3883
Executive Somers Appoints Mike Fong as Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer and Senior Advisor
Fong will manage Snohomish County’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., August 3, 2021 – Today, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced the appointment of Mike Fong as Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer and Senior Advisor. He will serve as a member of the Executive’s leadership team and cabinet. Fong is currently the Senior Deputy Mayor of Seattle. He has previously served as Chief Operating Officer for King County. Over the last 16 months, he has led the coordination of Seattle’s response efforts to COVID-19. Mike will be responsible for overseeing Snohomish County’s recovery from COVID-19 and ensuring the county is more resilient than before the pandemic.
“Even in the midst of our fifth wave of COVID-19, we must aggressively pursue Snohomish County’s full recovery to ensure our residents have the tools they need to thrive,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Mike Fong is a proven leader, having run large organizations over many years. He will ensure our recovery is as robust as possible, our resilience is strengthened, and we are tied into every available regional, state, and national resource.”
“Mike’s background and experience are exactly what we need to head up this critical work,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “We are fortunate to have municipal and county leadership committed to working together, and I applaud Executive Somers and Snohomish County for their coordinated, strategic approach. I very much look forward to working with Mike in his new role to ensure our residents, businesses and communities throughout Snohomish County have the resources they need to recover.”
“There is nothing more important than ensuring every resident, in every part of Snohomish County, can recover from the pandemic,” said Snohomish County’s Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer Mike Fong. “We have a once in a generation opportunity to tackle long-standing problems and find long-term solutions. I’m looking forward to helping lead this vital work.”
Mike will be coordinating the $160 million federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that Snohomish County will be utilizing to advance the county’s recovery and long-term strategic goals. Mike’s first day will be September 3, 2021.
“We are very well-positioned for a fast and strong recovery,” said Executive Somers. “Paine Field Airport is an economic engine that generates $60 billion per year, and with light rail reaching Lynnwood in 2024 and the commercial air terminal again growing in number of flights, Snohomish County is on the map like never before. It’s important that we capitalize on this significant investment of federal funds to make further progress and set us up for a strong and resilient future. We have successful partnerships with our Tribes, cities, and towns, and Mike will play a leading role in coordinating our efforts so that together we achieve the best possible results for Snohomish County.”
Mike will help coordinate various areas of Snohomish County’s recovery, including:
- Economic and workforce development to help workers and businesses
- Childcare for essential workers
- Expanding broadband access, particularly in rural areas
- Assisting with efforts to help those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse disorder, and behavioral health issues.
Snohomish County had the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States on January 21, 2020 and has been responding to the pandemic longer than any other local government. Snohomish County has partnered with the Snohomish Health District, Tribes, cities, towns, fire districts, businesses, non-profits, and many others on minimizing impacts of COVID-19 on the community.