Jennifer Joly has been selected as head of government relations for Pierce County.

Joly succeeds George Walk, who retired in June after 22 years of representing Pierce County’s interests with state, federal and local governments. She was selected by a panel of county officials that included Executive Pat McCarthy, Council Chair Joyce McDonald and Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

A Tacoma resident for the last 10 years, Joly has spent her career in a variety of key positions in Olympia. She served then-Gov. Gary Locke as transportation policy advisor, legislative director and eventually as general counsel. Before that, she served as counsel to the state House of Representatives during the time when every leadership position was shared by Democrats and Republicans due to a 49-49 tie. She started her career as legal counsel and research analyst for the state Legislative Transportation Committee.

Joly has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a law degree from Seattle University. She recently resigned her position as chair of the state Public Disclosure Commission so she could take the Pierce County job. She still serves as one of 11 trustees on Group Health Cooperative’s board of directors.

Joly’s appointment is on the County Council’s consent agenda for its 3 p.m. meeting on Tues., Oct. 23.