Bill Baarsma became Tacoma’s Mayor in 2002 after a 33-year career teaching business and public administration at the University of Puget Sound.  Bill, a native Tacoman, served on the Tacoma City Council from 1992 to 1999.  Previously, he served on two Tacoma charter review commissions, the City’s 1980 redistricting committee, and three citizen advisory committees to Pierce County government.  He continues as a member of the Tacoma Urban League.

Bill, who holds a bachelor's degree in political science, a master’s degree in government and a doctorate in public administration, lives in the North End with his wife, Carol.

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2009

Council Member Rick Talbert was born in Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High.  He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Western Washington University.  He served as Deputy Mayor in 2007.

Rick is the Chair of the City Council’s Economic Development Committee and a member of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee.  He also serves as the Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health and is a member of the Pierce Transit Board of Directors.

Rick has served as president and board member of several community organizations.  He was past President/Vice President, Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council; Past President, Tacoma Pierce County Small Business Incubator; Past President, East Tacoma Home and Industry Council and serves on the board of Centro Latino.

Rick, his wife and their two children live on the East Side in District 4 where he now serves.

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2009

Julie Anderson was elected to the at-large position 7 City Council seat in 2003 and was re-elected for a second term in 2007.  For nearly 20 years, Julie has been an active part of Tacoma – as a community advocate, public servant, and commonsense administrator. Currently working as a senior policy advisor for the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Julie's past professional service comes from a wide variety of fields, including: Political Strategist for Planned Parenthood Votes! Washington, Executive Director of the YWCA of Pierce County, District Manager for the Dome District Neighborhood Business District, Campaign Manager for Tacoma United For Fairness, and a variety of criminal justice positions.

Julie is the President of City Club of Tacoma, a Board Member for the TCC Center for Ethical Development, and Steering Committee member for the multi-partisan Women’s Political Caucus.  She is an American Leadership Forum fellow.   In 2005, Julie salvaged the last structure remaining from Whitworth College, which originated in Tacoma at the turn of the century.  Julie resides in the North End, in the structure, which she successfully placed on Tacoma’s Historic Landmarks Register.
Term Expiration:  December 31, 2011

Marilyn Strickland was elected to the at-large position 8 City Council seat in 2007. 

Born in Seoul, Korea, Marilyn grew up in South Tacoma and has been a downtown resident for over a decade.  She is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Clark-Atlanta University.

Marilyn has professional experience in both the public and private sectors. She served as Development Officer for the Tacoma Public Library and has held management positions with American Cancer Society, Starbucks Coffee Company and JayRay Ads & PR.

Marilyn serves on the Government Performance and Finance Committee, the Public Safety and Human Services Committee and the Pierce County Regional Council.  Active in the community, she is a member of the Tacoma Urban League, the Black Collective and serves on the boards of KBTC Public TV Association, the Grand Cinema and Safe Streets.

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2011

Jake Fey was elected to the Tacoma City Council in 2005 and represents Council District 2.

Jake grew up in Port Angeles, Washington, and has lived in Tacoma’s 2nd District since 1980.  Jake is a graduate of  the University of Washington and also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound.  Prior to his election to the City Council, Jake was a member of the Public Utility Board and its chair in 2004-2005.

Jake has been an active volunteer in the community having served as President of First Place for Children and President of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tacoma-Pierce County.  Jake currently serves on the local advisory board of the American Heart Association and the Executive Committee of the Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound.

.Term Expiration: December 31, 2009

Connie Ladenburg  is now serving her second term on the City Council and served as Deputy Mayor in 2005.

Connie, a native Tacoman, married high school sweetheart John Ladenburg in 1969.  A long-time community activist, Connie held leadership roles on the PTA, served on school district committees, organized political campaigns, mobilized neighborhood groups and worked for the Washington State Legislature while “staying home” to raise five children.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1996 and a master’s of social work the following year.

She serves on several Council Committees—as Chair of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee and a member of the Economic Development and Appointments committees.  She also represents the City of Tacoma on the Economic Development District Committee and the Joint Municipal Action Committee, as an alternate for the Law Enforcement Support Agency board, and at the National League of Cities.

Connie is a private contractor who provides training in youth development, substance prevention work and coordinates events for youth and youth services.

Connie represents Council District 5.
Term Expiration:  December 31, 2009

Spiro was elected to the Tacoma City Council in 2003 and re-elected to a second term in 2007.  A District 1 resident for 52 years, Spiro attended Downing, Mason, and Wilson before going on to Western Washington University. He was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor at the City Council Meeting of January 8, 2008 and will serve through December 31, 2008.

For the past twelve years Spiro has held an administrative position at Bates Technical College where he has been an invaluable member of the management team.  Prior to his employment at Bates Spiro worked for the City of Tacoma's Finance Department for over eight years. 

Spiro is very active in the community and has served on many volunteer boards and commissions; including the Metro Parks Recreation Foundation where he served as Treasurer and Executive Board Member. Spiro and his wife Sandy have three children and live in the Tacoma's West-end.

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2011

Lauren Walker was elected to the Tacoma City Council in 2007 and she represents Council District 3.

Lauren has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oregon in Community Service and Public Affairs and a Master’s Certificate from Boston College in Women in Politics and Government.  She returned to the beloved northwest 18 years ago and settled in the Hilltop neighborhood, where she has been active in block-by-block organizing and homeownership initiatives to strengthen the community.  Lauren and her husband Marcus have two children.

Lauren currently serves as the executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Washington and was President of the Hilltop Action Coalition, served on the Homeownership Center of Tacoma and Tacoma Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium boards of directors and is currently Secretary of the National Fair Housing Alliance.  She is Vice Chair of the City’s Environment and Public Works Committee and serves on Neighborhoods and Housing Committee. 

Term Expiration:  December 31, 2011