FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2001

Contact:    Kevin J. O'Sullivan, Thurston County Commission Chairman, 360-786-5440, Don Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440

KRUPP NAMED CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

OLYMPIA -- Acting Thurston County Chief Administrative Officer (C. A. O.) Don Krupp has been chosen to fill the position on a permanent basis.  After a successful stint as interim C.A.O., county commissioners today named Krupp as the replacement for Linda Hoffman who moved to a position with the state Department of Ecology in May. 

Thurston County Commission Chairman Kevin O'Sullivan says Krupp brings a lot of talent and experience to the position.  "Don has a wide ranging background that can help the county with the day to day job of providing services to county residents.  In addition, he has been instrumental in helping the county set some long-term goals to deal with the challenges facing the county over the months and years to come."  O'Sullivan says Krupp has shown a lot of leadership.  "Don is very deliberative in his decision making process and also has excellent problem solving skills in working out difficult issues.  We are pleased we can now remove the 'interim' from his title."

Don moved from the position of County Development Services Director to the position of interim C.A.O.  Prior to the Development Services position, Krupp was deputy director of the State Department Community Development.  He also worked for the City of Olympia's Public Works Department and in the Planning Department for the city of Puyallup.  He has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelors Degree from San Diego State University.   Krupp says, "I am happy with the faith placed in me by the county commissioners and look forward to working with them on a variety of challenging issues.  I know first hand that county employees take pride in their jobs and work hard to deliver quality services.  I anticipate a continued excellent relationship with the elected officials and managers who oversee those services."

A search will now be undertaken to fill the vacant development director's position.

As Chief Administrative Officer, Krupp will oversee 1,100 Thurston County employees and an annual budget of about $300,000,000.  He assumes the permanent position immediately.