About Us
James Campbell - Commissioner District 1 (2025-2026)  Jim, a lifelong Thurston County resident and Olympia High School graduate, brings decades of leadership and commitment to public service as the newly appointed Commissioner for District 1. His 20-year tenure at Olympia Brewing Company included leading multiple departments and representing his colleagues on key labor committees during major transitions. Following the brewery's closure, Jim pursued federal retraining under the Trade Adjustment Act to begin a new career in the water industry. Over the next 22 years Jim worked in public utilities - culminating as Thurston PUD Director of Field Operations during which he earned certifications as a Water Distribution Manager, Water Treatment Operator, Cross-Connection Control Specialist, Electrical Administrator, and is a Licensed Electrician and Plumber. His leadership reflects Thurston PUD's mission of delivering safe, reliable, and affordable utility services with integrity, stewardship, and respect for the communities served. Jim looks forward to continuing that mission as a Commissioner, listening to consitutuents to foster collaboration and to provide responsive leadership through service to Thurston County residents of District 1 and all PUD customers.
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Russell E. Olsen - Commissioner District 2 (2013-2028)  Russ is currently the Director of the Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency. His past 13 years of public service has focused upon balancing the needs of economic development while protecting our valuable natural resources. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Martin’s University and a Masters of Public Administration degree from Seattle University. He also was a General Manager for the American Golf Corporation before his entry into public service. Russ grew up in the Thompson Place neighborhood, outside of Lacey, attended Olympic View Elementary, graduated from North Thurston High School. He is married to his wife, Rebecca, and they have a son. Russ has extensive knowledge and experience in strategic planning, policy and budget development, implementation, and assessment.
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Chris Stearns - Commissioner District 3 (2009-2026)
 Chris Stearns has been a resident of Thurston County since 1976 and was elected to his first term in the 2008 election. Chris has a background as a Fisheries Biologist having worked for Washington’s Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (W.D.F.W.), N.W. Indian Fisheries Commission and local Tribes. Chris has extensive experience surveying Puget Sound for Forage Fish (Herring, Smelt and Sand Lance) spawning sites along our shorelines. He helped initialize work with the state to help delineate critical salmon and steelhead freshwater habitat features depicted on maps. Chris also won a “Team Award” in 2003 for his efforts for W.D.F.W.’s Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Inventory and Assessment Program throughout the entire southern portion of our state. He has remained a tireless advocate for the use of promising bioremediation technologies, already in use for oil spills in this state, to restore the aquatic life of Puget Sound. |
Photos by Rebecca Sue Photography |