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Commission sets interviews for DBI director search; public urges appointment of acting director
Summary
DBI recruitment vendor recommended seven finalists from 31 applicants. Commissioners scheduled interviews for Sept. 5 and Sept. 10 and discussed a peer panel review. Many public commenters urged making Acting Director Tom Huey (and deputy Dan Lowry) permanent.
Commissioners received an update on the permanent director recruitment on Aug. 21. Cheryl Ueda of Alliance Resource Consulting told the commission the search brought in 31 applicants; the firm requested supplemental information from 19 candidates and identified 10 as leading candidates before narrowing the list to seven finalists recommended for commissioner interviews.
Ted Yamasaki of the Department of Human Resources outlined the proposed next steps: two interview dates have been set, Sept. 5 and Sept. 10, with half the finalists interviewed on each day. He also recommended a peer panel—selected department heads who would interview candidates in parallel and provide advisory feedback to the commission. The consultant agreed to provide candidate profiles and bulleted summaries of any post‑screening changes to expedite commissioners' review.
Public comment during the recruitment discussion was extensive and largely focused on internal candidates. Dozens of speakers from contractor groups, tenants' advocates, developers and advisory committees urged the commission to appoint Acting Director Tom Huey and Deputy Dan Lowry to permanent posts, citing continuity, technical knowledge, accessibility and successful community outreach. One contractor said, "Tom Huie has been at DBI for over 16 years" and another noted "92% of the permits that are issued by DBI are issued over the counter," crediting Huey for streamlining processes.
Procedurally, the commission voted to continue the recruitment item to the Sept. 5 meeting so commissioners could review any revised drafts and participate in the structured interview process. The vote to continue was carried unanimously.
What happens next: Candidate profiles and interview questions will be circulated in advance; peer panel interviews and commissioner interviews are scheduled for Sept. 5 and Sept. 10, after which the commission will select finalists and proceed according to the city's hiring rules.
