Cindy Baker has been hired by Kitsap County as the assistant director of Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development (DCD).

“I am delighted to have Cindy join our team,” said DCD Director Kamuron Gurol. “Her strong experience in both the public and private sector gives us an even better perspective to help Kitsap County meet the challenges of growth.”

Baker will be second in command to Gurol and focus on managing the county’s land use and building permit-related functions, supervising approximately 50 staff members. She will oversee the permit intake counter, building permit review and inspection, land use and environmental review, engineering review and development inspection, code development, and the various responsibilities of the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Last spring, the DCD announced substantially shortened permit application turnaround times, due to the development and implementation of their proprietary Land Information System and improvements in the permit review processes.

Baker has managed environmental and planning functions for a number of Seattle area engineering consulting firms including David Evans and Associates and Berger/ABAM Consulting Engineers, and most recently operated her own firm, Lexington Consulting, Inc. Prior to her private sector experience, she managed engineering review for the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.

“The Board of County Commissioners and the Department are committed to building upon our improvements,” Gurol continued. “Adding Cindy’s wealth of experiences understanding and managing complex systems infuses our program with new ideas and sound management skills that will lead to even better service at Kitsap County.”.