Jeffrey Rimack has been named Kitsap County’s new director of the Department of Community Development by county commissioners. Rimak’s appointment will become effective April 1.
Rimack replaces Louisa Garbo, who left the county at the end of 2018, and will manage the department’s 73 employees and oversee a budget of approximately $8.8 million. He is currently the department’s assistant director and chief building official for the county.
Rimack was selected from nearly 50 candidates locally and across the country.
“We had two excellent final candidates for this position,” Ed Wolfe, chair of the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, said.
“Jeff Rimack was chosen by the board for his collaborative leadership and professional abilities, and military background. The combination of his technical expertise and strong customer service philosophy was compelling.”
Since joining Kitsap County in 2008, Rimack served as an engineering technician, plans examiner and construction inspection supervisor. As the county’s chief building official, he conducts training and interacts with the development community, citizens and contractors. As a project expediter, he worked with all divisions of the department and is a former president of the Local 1308 Union, where he worked with human resources on collective bargaining agreements and labor negotiations.
Rimack also serves as the officer in charge with the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18 Kitsap, where he commands 400 sailors, which earned him recognition the last two years as being the top unit in the Naval Construction Forces.
“Our screening process yielded several highly capable professionals with varying backgrounds and it was gratifying to find our successful candidate within the department,” Wolfe said in a press release.
“We appreciate the patience and participation of community development staff as we moved through the hiring process, and input from external panel members and many others who provided comment during listening sessions that informed development of the recruitment announcement.”
Tyler Shuey is a reporter with Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at tshuey@soundpublishing.com
