Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell announces retirement

Thurston County Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell has announced her retirement, the county stated in a press release on Saturday, August 23.

Campbell will be stepping down from her position after 41 years of service to the state and county.

County Manager Leonard Hernandez expressed his gratitude for Campbell's leadership, stating, “I want to give my utmost thanks to Robin as she begins to transition out of her role here at the county and into her next chapter of retirement. Robin’s leadership and organizational knowledge will be missed greatly.”

Within Thurston County, Campbell served for months as the interim director of the Central Services Department and for 14 years as assistant county manager and budget director.

Before joining the county, she filled various state roles as the budget operations unit manager at the Department of Social and Health Services, budget assistant to the governor at the Office of Financial Management, and senior management analyst and interim director at the Government Management and Accountability Office.

Cummings steps in

Considering Campbell’s retirement, the county has appointed Joshua Cummings, the current Director of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), as an assistant county manager.

Cummings will assume his new role immediately and work alongside Campbell to ensure a seamless transition.

Cummings led CPED for 11 years. He started as a sustainability specialist and economic development manager before becoming its director in 2017. Cummings came from the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) as business manager, government affairs, and business relations manager.

Cumming served as staff to Congressman Norm Dicks, staff assistant at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, and timber company Weyerhaeuser’s political affairs manager.

Cummings will work alongside Rob Gelder, who has been an assistant county manager since April 2023. Hernandez said that the shared responsibilities between the two assistant managers will enhance oversight and foster a more coordinated approach to county governance.

Gelder will oversee the Public Health and Social Services, Emergency Services, Public Defense, and Pretrial Services departments, as well as the State Legislative Services.

Cummings will work with the Central Services, Information Technology, Public Works, Community Planning and Economic Development, and Federal Legislative Services departments.

“Moving Josh into this role now allows for enough time for a transfer of knowledge, making this transition as smooth as possible for the county and staff. Josh has a proven record with the county of tackling tough issues, with a customer service-oriented approach,” said Hernandez.

As Cummings transitions to his new role, he has named Ashley Arai as the interim director for CPED. “Ashley brings a depth of planning experience and a community-oriented demeanor that will serve her well in the role of interim director. I look forward to her leadership of the department and will be available to support her during this transition,” Cummings said.

– Additional reporting by Jerome Tuaño

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was partially written by a human reporter with assistance from artificial intelligence. Our team carefully reviewed and edited all information to ensure accuracy and relevance.