Summary

Executive Constantine appointed Marissa Aho to serve as King County’s first director of the recently established Executive Climate Office. Aho is set to step into the role on July 6.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine today appointed Marissa Aho – a highly experienced leader in climate action and resilience planning – to serve as Climate Director, overseeing King County’s work to address climate change and advance its Strategic Climate Action Plan.

“Marissa has an exceptional background to lead King County’s Executive Climate Office, bringing with her nearly a decade of expertise in strategy and policy planning around climate action, environmental justice, resilience, and sustainability,” said Executive Constantine. “We look forward to her leadership as King County continues investing in solutions and taking bold action against the looming climate crisis.”

Aho (pronounced AH-ho) grew up in Washington state and joins King County after two years as the Policy Director and Chief Resilience Officer for the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In that role, she developed and implemented agency plans and policies focused on climate action, equity and environmental justice, and tribal relations and partnerships.

“King County has established aggressive climate goals, a Strategic Climate Action Plan focused on equity, resilience, and sustainability, and a new Executive Climate Office. I’m thrilled to be serving in this newly established Climate Director role, and eager to begin working with the King County team, strategic partners, and community members to implement the plan and achieve these goals,” said Aho. “I want to thank Executive Constantine for his leadership and commitment to climate action.”

In addition to leading the new Climate Office, Aho will catalyze and unify work already occurring at Cabinet agencies, which includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, public health response, preparedness, emergency response, green jobs, green buildings, and engagement with frontline communities disproportionally impacted by climate change.

Before her time at DNR, Aho served as the Chief Resilience Officer for Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner. In that role, she led city-wide resilience-building efforts to help the city prepare for catastrophic events and address chronic stresses, from floods and hurricanes to aging infrastructure and extreme heat. This work included developing the Resilient Houston strategy, a comprehensive framework to build resilience for individuals, neighborhoods, watersheds, city government, and the region. She previously served in a similar role in the office of Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti focused on seismic and climate resilience.

Aho’s first day will be July 6.

Quotes

Marissa has an exceptional background to lead King County’s Executive Climate Office, bringing with her nearly a decade of expertise in strategy and policy planning around climate action, environmental justice, resilience, and sustainability. We look forward to her leadership as King County continues investing in solutions and taking bold action against the looming climate crisis.

King County has established aggressive climate goals, a Strategic Climate Action Plan focused on equity, resilience, and sustainability, and a new Executive Climate Office. I’m thrilled to be serving in this newly established Climate Director role, and eager to begin working with the King County team, strategic partners, and community members to implement the plan and achieve these goals. I want to thank Executive Constantine for his leadership and commitment to climate action.

For more information, contact:

Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537