Photo gallery – 2024

2024

MLK Federal Way High School Basketball Showcase 

At a time when the news is dominated by college and professional athletics, I was proud to help sponsor a local athletic event for our youth. The MLK Federal Way High School (FWHS) Showcase for boys and girls basketball was held over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and it was great to watch our young athletes compete in this event. I remember watching Coach Yattah Reed as a player at FWHS and I continue to be impressed with him as a coach, teacher, father, and leader of the MLK showcase! Sports bring people together!

With FWHS Basketball Coach Yattah Reed and All City Fence Owner Rick Koch

“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Kemper Freeman

“Building a successful business is all about building a successful community.” Kemper Freeman’s legacy in Bellevue demonstrates his commitment to both, and his remarks at this January’s “Good Eggs” meeting highlighted the power of local, public-private partnerships. As the founder of the Bellevue Collection, which includes Bellevue Square and Lincoln Center, he has set a high bar for retail in our region, and has created thousands of jobs in construction, trades, and service and hospitality industries. Thank you, Kemper!

(Top) With Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Kent Councilmember Toni Troutner, Kemper Freeman, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, Algona Mayor Troy Linnell, and Federal Way Council President Linda Kochmar; (Bottom) With Auburn Councilmember Yolanda Trout-Manuel, Kemper Freeman, and Auburn Councilmembers Hanan Amer and Clinton Taylor

Apple Cup Men’s Basketball

Do we like basketball? Ask the 9,268 fans at the UW vs. WSU Apple Cup! The Cougs won in overtime (90-87), but all the fans won by watching one of the most exciting games in Hec Ed (Hec Edmundson Pavilion) history. New UW Football Coach Jedd Fisch was introduced as well.

With new UW Football Coach Jedd Fisch

89th Annual Sports Star of the Year Awards

As someone who believes that sports bring people together at all levels of society, Seattle Sports Commission’s President & CEO Beth Knox and her team brought the region together again for the 89th Sports Star of the Year Awards dinner. It was great to see K.J. Wright, and when he’s done with coaching, he could pursue a third career: MC.

Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Although the Seahawks were not in the Super Bowl this year, they were well represented nationally by Bobby Wagner, who earned the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, given to the player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition. Since its creation in 2014, Larry Fitzgerald, Charles Woodson, Frank Gore, Luke Kuechly, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater, Matthew Slater and Calais Campbell have won the award. Congratulations Bobby! Read more here

“Good Eggs” Breakfast with King County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Executive Dow Constantine was the guest speaker at our February “Good Eggs” Breakfast meeting. Dow spoke to the importance of collaboration in order to solve the problems facing our region, highlighting how partnerships between King County and local cities help government work better. Examples of county/city collaborations include the soon-to-be established Crisis Care Centers and the continued partnerships that come from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services programs. Special thanks to Dow’s daughter, who let him skip driving her to robotics class to attend our breakfast.

(Top) With Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly, Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Algona Mayor Troy Linnell; (Bottom left) With Federal Way Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, King County Councilmember Girmay 

2024 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships

It may have been cold and gray outside, but it always feels sunny at the King County Aquatic Center (KCAC) in Federal Way. A special thanks to Mike Dunwiddie and the many others who work there and keep the aquatics center in top shape for special events and general public swimming!

Markel Leonard, who oversaw the 2024 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving (Men’s and Women’s) Championships, did a great job of making the last-ever Pac-12 Swimming and Diving Championships successful. View the winners of this season

With Markel Leonard and NCAA finalists from WSU

Girl Scout Cookies

Samoas or Thin Mints?!?! I am fortunate to have both after continuing my longstanding tradition of buying from Julieta, daughter of John and Amalia, who always provides the "exception" to my diet. In addition to Julieta, Auburn Councilmember Hanan Amer is also a long-time promoter of girl scout cookies!

The Girl Scout Cookie program helps many develop valuable life and entrepreneurial skills and make communities better.

Since 2021, all cookies are both Kosher and Halal certified, with the addition of vegan and gluten-free varieties as well. While this year’s cookie season may have come to an end, do not forget to buy the cookies, share the cookies, and support your local girl scouts next year!

With Auburn Councilmember Hanan Amer and King County Executive Dow Constantine

The Grand Reopening of The Auburn Food Bank 

I was honored to join Debbie Christian, director of The Auburn Food Bank, Mayor Nancy Backus, and many others at their grand reopening! A previous recipient of the MLK Distinguished Service Award, Debbie answers what Dr. King called life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?” on a daily basis. The new 14,361 square feet space will allow The Auburn Food Bank to expand its reach and serve even more of our neighbors in need. People in South King County believe in service to others, and few have given more or have been more involved than Debbie. Thank you, Debbie, and congratulations to your team on the new location!

With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, The Auburn Food Bank Executive Director Debbie Christian, members of the Auburn City Council, and community leaders

Federal Way Lions Glasses Donation

It was my pleasure to present the Federal Way Lions with over 1,000 pairs of glasses recovered by Metro drivers. As someone who wears glasses, I know how expensive AND necessary they are for not only employment, but for everyday life. Since I started this program in 2001, tens of thousands of eyeglasses and sunglasses have been donated and repurposed, finding new homes not only in King County but around the world. Thank you to the many Metro Transit employees who help with this program, as well as the Lions Club. We couldn’t do it without you!!

With Federal Way Lions Barbara Fy, Raul Baird, and Bob Darrigan

Your Money Matters

Physical health AND financial health are two things nobody should ever take for granted. It has never been easier to mistreat your wallet, and I am grateful that Auburn Councilmember Clinton Taylor is working with youth in our community to teach them the fundamentals of personal finance. How you take care of your money matters! 

With Auburn Councilmember Clinton Taylor

Seattle Mariners

As someone who lost my father when I was 10 years old, playing and watching baseball was an important part of my life. No matter how difficult October might have been, I always look forward to Opening Day. Whether watching the Seattle Pilots play at Sick’s Stadium in Seattle or AAA baseball at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, baseball was an important part of my growing up.

(Left) With Ken Griffey Jr. at an earlier Opening Day; (Right) With “The King” Félix Hernández at an earlier Spring Training