Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Director announces retirement

Mark Personius, who has served as Whatcom County's Planning and Development Services Director for 13 years, announced his retirement effective next spring. He will remain in the position until the completion of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. Whatcom County plans to hire a successor by the end of this year, with the job listing already posted. In an email to his staff, Personius highlighted how tackling challenges motivated him throughout his tenure. The incoming director will be responsible for overseeing long-term planning and land use permitting, critical roles for the county's development initiatives.

This transition follows a successful nationwide search that concluded last week, resulting in Champ Thomaskutty's appointment as the new head of Whatcom County Health and Community Services. The leadership change reflects ongoing efforts to ensure effective governance in the county. Personius’s retirement marks a significant shift in the county's planning and development leadership.