This new Pierce County city manager will make $265K. Here’s what we know
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- Lakewood City Council approved Doug Russell as city manager with $265K salary.
- Russell brings more than 20 years of city leadership experience from various states.
- City praised Russell’s success in economic growth and downtown revitalization.
After considering five finalists, the Lakewood City Council approved Doug Russell to be the new city manager.
The choice Monday concluded a national search, a public open house and several meetings with community stakeholders and employees. In a news release, Mayor Jason Whalen said Russell was chosen for his qualifications.
Russell is the city manager of Kalispell, Montana (which has a population of about 31,000 people) and has been in that role since 2012, according to the city. He began a career in city management as the town administrator of Lovell, Wyoming in 2004 and has worked as a city manager for Arkansas City in Kansas and Yankton, South Dakota. Russell replaces John Caulfield, who announced he would retire in June after nearly 12 years.
Before the vote, deputy mayor Mary Moss (who is Black) said Russell was not her first choice for city manager and she abstained from voting for him in a special session. Although Moss said he “accomplished many of the things that we are trying to accomplish in Lakewood,” Moss said she was concerned that Russell would be “working with a [diverse] population twice the size” of Kalispell.
“We have spent lots of time, money and resources in an effort to embrace the diversity in our community. I could not in good conscience vote yes knowing that Mr. Russell is coming to us with very little experience on diversity, with a population of just over 31,000 and a recording of 89% [of Kalispell residents] identifying as white,” Moss said June 16. “Having said that, I believe Mr. Russell will do the best job he can in this area. I am confident that he will have the support from myself, the staff and my colleagues to do the job.”
According to the employment agreement approved Monday, Russell will start Aug. 25 and be paid $265,000 annually. In addition, Russell will receive $500 a month in an automobile allowance and a one-time payment of $50,000 to establish residency in the city and up to $20,000 for rental costs.
City Council members said they chose Russell based on his work revitalizing Kalispell’s downtown area, growing economic development and successful completion of park projects, according to a news release. Those goals align with Lakewood’s current vision, the city said.
Russell graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Montana State University and a master of public administration degree from the University of Colorado at Denver, according to the city.
He is recognized as a certified manager by the International City/County Management Association, a Certified Public Finance Officer by the Government Finance Officers Association, is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program, according to the city.
This story was originally published June 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
