Randall K Gaylord has become the President of the Washington Association of County Officials (WACO); a 257 member organization of Washington’s elected or appointed assessors, auditors,
coroners, clerks, prosecutors, sheriffs and treasurers.
Gaylord said he is honored to have the opportunity to lead a large statewide organization. Gaylord has served as Prosecutor of San Juan County for 16 years and elected by the members of WACO as President-elect at the October 2010 meeting. He became President when outgoing Sheriff Mike Harum left office on December 31st, 2010.
WACO shares headquarters and resources in Olympia with the Washington State Association of
Counties, an association of county legislative body members. Gaylord said, “The people at WACO
provide training, education, technical support, contact information and ideas on how to improve our
local government to help our elected officials do the best job possible.”
“This work is as important today as it was when WACO was formed 52 years ago, “ said Gaylord.
“It presents a real challenge because counties are closely linked to state government and policies need to consider the most populous counties in western Washington and the most rural counties of eastern Washington, and those like my county, San Juan.“
Gaylord commented on the work WACO does whether local government revenues are increasing or declining. “In either case, WACO provides expertise to local officials that they are being efficient and effective at what they do,” said Gaylord.
As Gaylord moves into the presidency, other officers move up the leadership ladder. Corky
Mattingly, Yakima County Auditor is the President-Elect, and Tom Fallquist, Spokane County Clerk is the Vice-President. The position of Secretary-Treasurer will be filled at the January board meeting.
“We have an excellent staff in Olympia to help us with training, problem solving and seeking
solutions that have had helped many public officials deal with difficult situations in the past, and I am
going to do everything that I can to see that this organization’s endeavors continue be of the highest
quality possible during these very challenging financial times.”
