The Puget Sound Regional Council announced Thursday it has elected Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy to serve as the organization’s president.

As President, McCarthy chairs the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Executive Board and serves as the leader in guiding the group’s budget and work program. The agency is preparing to update the region’s long range transportation plan, produce new data to monitor the region’s performance toward the goals in the VISION 2040 growth strategy, and select projects for federal transportation funding. The Puget Sound Regional Council’s Executive Board also will select a new executive director because of the retirement of Bob Drewel, who has led the agency for nine years.

The Puget Sound Regional Council coordinates growth planning in a four-county region that includes King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap.

“The Puget Sound Regional Council plays a vital role in knitting all of the communities of central Puget Sound together and planning for our future,” said McCarthy, who succeeds Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown. “Over the next year, we’ll be focused on improvements to our transportation system, boosting job growth, and ensuring the region continues to grow in ways that reflect our shared Northwest values.”

More information is available online at psrc.org.