Pierce County, Washington Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Pierce County, Washington has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, community development, public administration, operations, judicial oversight, and human resources.

Committed to regional excellence, Pierce County, Washington delivers essential public services, infrastructure management, and civic programs to foster sustainable community growth and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Leadership Roles at Pierce County, Washington

  • Interim President & Chief Executive Officer - Thomas Pierson
  • President and Chief Executive Officer United Way - Amanda Westbrook
  • Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive - Scott Nicholson
  • Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators - Chris Gaddis
  • President - Bryce Nelson
  • President - Rhonda Freeland
  • Chief of Staff - Lana Weinmann
  • Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L3-9 - Robert Copodonna
  • Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L4-11 - Paul Evans
  • Thomas Pierson - Interim President & Chief Executive Officer

    Thomas Pierson, the Interim President & Chief Executive Officer at Pierce County, Washington, directs the overarching strategic vision for local government operations. Overseeing the alignment of public administration with community needs, the Interim President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that all departments maintain fiscal responsibility while delivering critical services. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional stakeholders to advance infrastructure projects and environmental management initiatives. By optimizing organizational workflows, Thomas Pierson drives efficiency across the county government. Pierson maintains a focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring that public safety and human services remain responsive to the evolving demands of the population. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, the Interim President & Chief Executive Officer secures the operational integrity of the county, fostering a stable environment for economic development and civic engagement across the entire region.

    Amanda Westbrook - President and Chief Executive Officer United Way

    Amanda Westbrook, the President and Chief Executive Officer United Way at Pierce County, Washington, architects collaborative community programs that address critical human service needs. Overseeing partnerships between government entities and non-profit organizations, the President and Chief Executive Officer United Way ensures that social support systems reach vulnerable populations effectively. This role involves managing resource allocation for public health and community development initiatives. By integrating philanthropic efforts with government infrastructure, Amanda Westbrook drives measurable improvements in local quality of life. Westbrook facilitates cross-sector communication to solve complex social challenges, ensuring that public resources align with the most pressing community requirements. Through strategic leadership, the President and Chief Executive Officer United Way strengthens the social fabric of the region, creating a more resilient and inclusive environment for all residents and businesses operating within the county boundaries.

    Scott Nicholson - Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive

    Scott Nicholson, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive at Pierce County, Washington, directs the execution of large-scale infrastructure and public works projects. Overseeing the operational efficiency of transportation and environmental management departments, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive ensures that physical assets support regional growth. This role involves managing complex budgets and regulatory compliance for county-wide development. By optimizing resource deployment, Scott Nicholson drives the successful completion of critical public safety and transportation initiatives. Nicholson coordinates with department heads to align operational outputs with the strategic goals of the county government. Through rigorous oversight of technical operations, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive maintains the functionality of essential services, ensuring that the infrastructure remains robust and capable of meeting the demands of a growing population across the entire geographic region.
    Scott Nicholson

    Chris Gaddis - Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators

    Chris Gaddis, the Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators at Pierce County, Washington, manages the administrative functions of the judicial system. Overseeing court operations, case management systems, and judicial support services, the Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators ensures that the legal process remains accessible and efficient for the public. This role involves coordinating with legal professionals and government officials to maintain the integrity of the courts. By implementing modern administrative practices, Chris Gaddis drives improvements in judicial throughput and service delivery. Gaddis monitors the performance of court-related programs, ensuring that all legal proceedings adhere to state and local regulations. Through strategic management of judicial resources, the Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators supports the fair and timely administration of justice within the county.

    Bryce Nelson - President

    Bryce Nelson, the President at Pierce County, Washington, directs the strategic planning and oversight of specific civic programs related to property assessment and tax administration. Overseeing the accuracy and fairness of property valuations, the President ensures that the county maintains a stable revenue base to fund essential public services. This role involves managing the interface between government assessment processes and the needs of local property owners. By implementing data-driven valuation models, Bryce Nelson drives transparency and efficiency in the assessment cycle. Nelson coordinates with other administrative leaders to ensure that fiscal policies support the broader economic development goals of the county. Through the strategic management of assessment operations, the President maintains the integrity of the tax system, ensuring that the county government possesses the necessary resources to provide high-quality services to all residents and businesses.

    Rhonda Freeland - President

    Rhonda Freeland, the President at Pierce County, Washington, manages the strategic direction of public parks and recreational services. Overseeing the development, maintenance, and programming of county-wide park facilities, the President ensures that these spaces provide high-quality leisure and environmental benefits to the community. This role involves coordinating with environmental management teams to preserve natural resources while expanding public access. By optimizing the use of recreational assets, Rhonda Freeland drives community engagement and improves the overall quality of life for residents. Freeland monitors the operational performance of park facilities, ensuring that all sites remain safe, accessible, and well-maintained. Through the strategic oversight of recreational infrastructure, the President supports the county's commitment to environmental stewardship and public health, fostering a vibrant and active community environment that serves the diverse needs of the entire regional population.

    Lana Weinmann - Chief of Staff

    Lana Weinmann, the Chief of Staff at Pierce County, Washington, manages the daily operational flow and strategic priorities for the executive office. Overseeing internal communications and policy implementation, the Chief of Staff ensures that all departments adhere to the broader mission of the county government. This role involves facilitating high-level decision-making processes and coordinating between various administrative branches to maintain organizational cohesion. By streamlining administrative procedures, Lana Weinmann drives operational excellence and accountability. Weinmann monitors the progress of key civic programs, ensuring that public works and environmental management projects meet established timelines and quality standards. Through meticulous management of executive workflows, the Chief of Staff supports the effective delivery of public services, ensuring that the county remains responsive to the needs of the community while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory requirements and government mandates.

    Robert Copodonna - Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L3-9

    Robert Copodonna, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L3-9 at Pierce County, Washington, directs human capital strategies within the public safety sector. Overseeing recruitment, training, and personnel development for law enforcement staff, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L3-9 ensures that the workforce remains highly skilled and prepared for community protection duties. This role involves managing labor relations and organizational culture to support the mission of public safety. By implementing professional development programs, Robert Copodonna drives retention and operational readiness. Copodonna coordinates with other administrative leaders to align staffing levels with the evolving security needs of the county. Through the strategic management of personnel, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L3-9 fosters a professional environment that upholds the standards of public safety, ensuring that the department remains effective in maintaining order and protecting the residents of the region.

    Paul Evans - Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L4-11

    Paul Evans, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L4-11 at Pierce County, Washington, manages specialized human resource functions focused on organizational compliance and internal policy enforcement. Overseeing the administrative standards for public safety personnel, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L4-11 ensures that all staff operations align with legal and ethical mandates. This role involves auditing internal processes and implementing performance management systems to enhance departmental accountability. By refining personnel policies, Paul Evans drives consistency and fairness across the law enforcement organization. Evans collaborates with executive leadership to address complex staffing challenges and improve the overall efficiency of the department. Through the rigorous application of human resource standards, the Deputy Sheriff Chief People Officer L4-11 supports the operational stability of the public safety division, ensuring that the workforce remains focused on the core mission of protecting the community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pierce County, Washington Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Pierce County, Washington?
    Pierce County, Washington is led by Thomas Pierson (Interim President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Amanda Westbrook (President and Chief Executive Officer United Way) and Scott Nicholson (Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive).
    Who is part of Pierce County, Washington’s executive team?
    The executive team of Pierce County, Washington includes leaders such as Thomas Pierson (Interim President & Chief Executive Officer), Amanda Westbrook (President and Chief Executive Officer United Way), Scott Nicholson (Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Pierce County, Washington have?
    Pierce County, Washington has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Pierce County, Washington’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Pierce County, Washington includes roles such as Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer United Way, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy County Executive, Superior Court Administrator and Past-President Association of Washington Superior Court Administrators, President.