Issaquah honors Deputy City Administrator Andrea Leonard as she becomes Snowqualami city administrator

Andrea Leonard, Issaquah's deputy city administrator, was honored by the council on June 15 after accepting an appointment to serve as city administrator for neighboring Snowqualami.

Visiting Snowqualami Mayor Jim Mayhew told the council Leonard —possesses the leadership, judgment, and experience needed for the role,— and thanked Issaquah for the opportunities it provided her. Mayor Mark Mullet and other council members joined the tribute and presented Leonard with a plaque.

Leonard told the council she has worked in Issaquah for 12 years in two stints, first as economic development manager and later as deputy city administrator. Council members and staff credited her with leading or helping advance projects that included the transit-oriented development opportunity center (now progressing to a summer groundbreaking), downtown streetscape and pedestrian-park redevelopment, the Title 18 land-use update, and interim leadership roles in public works and finance.

Leonard said it was difficult to leave but that she will remain in the region and looks forward to continuing intercity collaboration as a neighbor and regional partner. The council and visiting officials said they expect to keep strong relationships around planning and shared infrastructure.

The recognition was ceremonial; Leonard's new appointment will be handled through Snowqualami's recruitment and appointment process and Issaquah staff said they expect to coordinate next steps internally for replacing deputy city administrator duties.