Barbara Stephenson, Executive Director of United Way Kitsap County, has announced that she will seek the position of Kitsap County Treasurer in this fall’s election. Sharon Shrader, Treasurer for the past 18 years, has indicated she will not seek re-election.

Stephenson, 49, is a democrat and has worked in the financial profession for 25 years. She was a banker with Rainier and Security Pacific Banks for 14 years. She served as a branch manager in both Poulsbo and Seattle, and was named “Branch Manager of the Year” in 1987.

In 1991 she became the Executive Director for United Way of Kitsap County. That agency raises funds to support 30 local health and human service agencies. During her tenure, community donations have increased by 68 percent. During that same period, staffing levels within her office have remained unchanged.

Stephenson is a Past President of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and was the Chamber’s “Person of the Year” in 1990. She recently completed an 11-year appointment to the Olympic College Board of Trustees, and was named “Trustee of the Year” for the State of Washington in 1996. She is currently President of the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Club and is Vice Chairman of the Washington Commission for National and Community Service, an appointee of Governor Locke.