Romney Institute Alumni Board

Don Morrison, MPA 1976

Don Morrison, MPA 1976

Membership Information:

Member Since: 2021

Contact Information:

Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-morrison-7289023/

Employment:

Job Title: Retired: City Manager
Company: City of Bonney Lake, Washington
Location: Washington, United States

Expertise:

  • MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS:
  • ICMA
  • HOBBIES & INTERESTS:
  • Archery
  • Hiking
  • Trumpet
  • Golf

Biography:

Don grew up on a dairy farm in Tremonton, Utah. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Utah State University and his MPA from BYU in 1976. He served as a State House Fellow under Governors Rampton and Matteson, and then accepted a position as an Assistant to the Mayor and Community Development Coordinator for Logan, Utah. He and his wife, Michelle, later moved to Whitefish, Montana to serve as their first city manager. He was then recruited to serve as the City Administrator of Tukwila, Washington (a Seattle suburb).

From Tukwila, he moved to Fircrest, Washington, to serve as their City Manager. He co-founded the Local Government Institute in 1992. During his “consulting” years, he served in several interim management positions for various cities, districts, and associations, including the team that set up the newly incorporated City of West Valley, Washington, a 100,000 pop. suburb of Spokane. He retired as the Bonney Lake, Washington City Administrator in 2018 after 14 years in that position. In total, he served as a city administrator/manager for nearly 35 years.

Some of Don’s professional community service activities include: Vice-President, UT chapter of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, 1980-81; President, Great Open Spaces City/County Management Association. 1983‑84. Representative, National League of Cities Advisory Committee on Administration, Finance and Intergovernmental Relations, 1982‑83. Vice‑Chairman, Sea‑Tac Forum, 1986‑1988. Founding Member, Rainier Cable Commission, 1991-92. Member, Pierce County Growth Management Coordinating Committee and Transportation Technical Support Committee, 1990-92. Instructor, Tacoma Community College, 1995. Member, Rotary International, 1981-1994, 1985-1988, 2004. Public Relations Chairman, WSAA, 2004-2006. Board of Directors, Skookum Archery Club, 2001-pres. (President 2012-2014). Member, Lakewood Community Jazz Ensemble, 2003-2006. Member, Tacoma Community College Symphonic Band, 2006-Pres. Member, Board of Directors, Johnson Cancer Foundation, 2016-Pres.