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.

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.