Charisse Deschenes has accepted the position of Deputy City Manager and Director of Community Development and Economic Development for the City of Sequim effective February 13.
Deschenes has worked for the City of Sequim since 2014 when she was hired as a Senior Planner in the Department of Community Development. She has served as Assistant to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Interim City Manager.
Deschenes is a graduate of the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy, Leadership International City County Management Association (ICMA), and the Senior Executive Institute, and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She was awarded the 2021 Washington City/County Management Association Outstanding Assistant Award for Under 10K Population.
Deschenes has a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Resource Management, a Master’s in Business Administration, and has studied in the Master of Urban & Regional Planning program.
“I am excited to see Charisse in this new role as she brings a wealth of both academic and professional experience to the table that the City of Sequim, both businesses and residents, will benefit from. Charisse will lead a high performing team that is fully engaged and prepared to embrace the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review, implementation of a new software platform, and updating the municipal code, while working with City Council and regional entities on housing matters,” said City Manager Matthew Huish.