PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION – July 13, 2022
Christie Voos | Communications Analyst | City of Leavenworth
c. 509.670.0121 | media@cityofleavenworth.com
LEAVENWORTH, WA – July 13, 2022 – The City of Leavenworth today announced Matthew “Selby” (he goes by his last name) will join the team as the new City Administrator. Selby was in Leavenworth last month for in-person interviews with Mayor Florea, City Councilmembers, Staff and Residents. His experience in Community Development and Health, Land Use and Economic Development, and Affordable Housing will be put to good use here in the City of Leavenworth.
Selby began, and spent the majority of, his career in public / municipal service experience on the East Coast – first in Ashland, MA (a town about 20 miles SW of Boston with 16,000 residents), and then in Acton, MA (also a Boston suburb, with 25,000 residents).
In Ashland, he was Director of Community Development and Health, serving from 2008-2016. This was a new department that integrated Building, Conservation, Economic Development, Health, Planning and Zoning functions. While there he spearheaded efforts to make Ashland a state-designated Green Community and managed renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Selby moved on to become the Land Use and Economic Development Director in Acton, MA, serving from 2016-2021. During his tenure in Acton, Selby helped redevelop troubled properties which brought in 200 million dollars in investment to Acton, and worked on affordable housing projects with both the housing authority and also Habitat for Humanity. He also created the Acton Area Manufacturing Collaborative that connected manufacturing employers with workforce investment boards, educational partners, and social service organizations to create a pipeline of employees for Acton’s manufacturing companies.
Selby served most recently in Yakima, WA as the Interim Assistant City Manager from November 2021 until April 2022. While working as the Interim Assistant City Manager in Yakima he put together proposals for a mixed-use development that included affordable housing. He understands why workforce housing is critical to both the health of the Leavenworth residential community and our business community.
Having spent most of his career on the East Coast, Selby knew the interim position in Washington State was a way to open doors to other positions on the West Coast, which had been a goal of his for a number of years. During his interim position, he visited Leavenworth, and was drawn to what the area has to offer. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys many outdoor activities – not the least of which are central to our outdoor playground: kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing.
Mayor Carl Florea, in a request for comment, said “I’m excited have a City Administrator to lead the team and the great work that we are trying to do for the community. Selby has expertise in areas that our city needs, and I’m very much looking forward to his arrival!”
If you have questions, or for more Information / para más información, please contact Leavenworth Communications Analyst, Christie Voos at [email protected] or 509.670.0121.
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