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Olympia names Silvana Nehauser director of Parks, Arts and Recreation
Summary
After a nationwide search, Olympia City Manager Jay Birney announced on Oct. 21 that Silvana Nehauser, a 15-year city employee, will lead the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department. Council members praised Nehauser’s internal promotion.
Silvana Nehauser will be the City of Olympia’s new director of Parks, Arts and Recreation, City Manager Jay Birney announced during the council’s Oct. 21 business meeting.
Birney said the city conducted a nationwide search but determined the best candidate was already on staff. “She started as a senior program specialist in the parks, arts and recreation department and most recently was the director of parks planning and maintenance,” Birney said. He added that Nehauser “worked seamlessly in the interim role over the past, almost year” and is “well respected both out in the community and with the staff in parks, arts, and recreation.”
Nehauser, who addressed the council after Birney’s announcement, said she is “very thankful to be selected to serve our amazing community. I work here, I live here, and I love Olympia very much.” She told the council she is “honored to be selected and to be able to lead an amazing department” and thanked colleagues for their support.
Council members offered unanimous praise. Council Member Gilman said attending a recent employee barbecue and hearing staff endorsement was “high praise.” Council Member Cooper recalled Nehauser’s early role as a park ranger and said he was glad to see her rise through the ranks. Council Member Green and others noted Nehauser’s enthusiasm and relationship-building with community members and staff.
No formal council action was required for the internal appointment during the meeting; Birney presented the selection as an administrative appointment following the city’s recruitment process. Birney said the city’s panel included staff and community members who participated in interviews.
Nehauser succeeds the interim leadership that had been in place and will join the city’s executive team. Council remarks emphasized continuity with department staff, Nehauser’s long tenure (15 years), and ongoing projects in parks and recreation that she will help carry forward. The city manager invited Nehauser to make brief remarks and the council held a public acknowledgments exchange before moving on to other agenda items.
The announcement concluded council recognition on the topic; the appointment and praise came early in the Oct. 21 meeting and did not include a formal, recorded council vote during the session.
