Diane Carlson, City Manager
(dcarlson@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-4616)
Diane has considerable experience in public administration and government relations, including positions with King County and the City of Bellevue over the past two decades, and is a long-time Bellevue resident.
- Experience: City Manager (2024-Present); Acting City Manager (2023-2024); Deputy City Manager (2022-2024); Capital Division Director, King County Metro (2018-2022); Director of Regional Initiatives, King County (2011-2018); Director of Intergovernmental Relations, City of Bellevue (2000-2011).
- Education: Master of Public Administration, The Evergreen State College; Bachelor of arts cum laude (business/finance) Honors Program, Washington State University
Nathan McCommon, Deputy City Manager
(nmccommon@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-4194)
Nathan brings to Bellevue a strong background in city management education and experience, regional collaboration and partnership, along with significant operations expertise. In fact, prior to completing graduate studies, he served as a traffic signal technician, parks maintenance worker and even garbage collector.
- Experience: Deputy City Manager (2016-present); City Manager, Tonganoxie, Kansas (2012-2016); Senior Management Analyst, Kansas City, Missouri (2011-2012); Convention and Entertainment Facilities Business Manager, Kansas City, Missouri (2006-2011).
- Education: Master of Public Administration; Bachelor of arts (Spanish literature), both from the University of Kansas.
Joseph Todd, Deputy City Manager
(jtodd@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-4113)
Joe has a wide breadth of public- and private-sector experience as a corporate strategist and technology executive, having had lead roles with Boeing and payment tech firm Marqeta as well as King County and the City of Tukwila. Committed to equity and inclusion, Joe represents south King County on the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs.
- Experience: Deputy City Manager (2023-present); Senior Director, Marqeta (2022-2023); Deputy Chief Technology Officer, King County (2020-2022); Chief Information Officer, City of Tukwila (2016-2020); Multiple positions, Boeing (2003-2015).
- Education: Bachelor of science (business administration), Troy University
Genesee Adkins, Deputy City Manager
(gadkins@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-7849)
Genesee brings an external-facing lens to our work in intergovernmental relations, community development, communications, and citywide programs. For more than two decades, she has worked across all levels of government in Washington, including local, regional and federal, building coalitions and finding strategic solutions to a variety of policy and funding challenges.
- Experience: Deputy City Manager (2024-present), Chief of External Affairs (2022-2024); Senior Planning Director, WSP USA (2021-2022); Director of Infrastructure Initiatives and External Affairs, HDR (2019-2021); Chief of Staff, City of Seattle Transportation Department (2016-2019); Director of State Relations, University of Washington (2014-2016).
- Education: Bachelor of arts (economics and political science), University of Rochester.
Bianca Siegl, Director of Office of Housing
(bsiegl@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-4382)
Bianca leads the Office of Housing in its efforts to deliver policy, projects and resources that accelerate production and preservation of housing in Bellevue, while also addressing homelessness with outreach and shelter programs. The city delivers some services directly and partners on others.
- Experience: Assistant Director of Citywide Projects and Programs (2021-2025); Deputy Director, Advance Planning, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (2019-2021); Senior Planner/Manager, Long Range and Mobility Planning Division, City of West Hollywood, California (2007-2021);
- Education: Master's degree in Architecture, University of California Los Angeles; Bachelor of arts (growth and structure of cities), Bryn Mawr College.
Linda Whitehead, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
(lwhitehead@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-7886)
Linda leads the city's efforts to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion for the people the city serves, as well as city staff. Linda also serves as the city’s LGBTQ+ liaison to the City Manager.
- Experience: Senior Consultant, Education Innovation Partners (2011-2021);
- Education: Doctor of education, Seattle University; Master of arts (educational leadership and administration), Rutgers University.
Michelle DeGrand, Chief Communications Officer
(mdegrand@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-4346)
Michelle, also an assistant director in the City Manager's Office, manages the city's internal and external communications, working closely with the city’s various departments to communicate with residents on key initiatives, happenings and city council matters. Details are available at Communications.
- Experience: Chief Communications Officer (2023-present); Deputy Communications Officer (2019-2023); Sr. Manager, corporate communications, Esterline Technologies Corp., Bellevue (2009-2019); Sales/Marketing Coordinator, Magna Drive Corp., Bellevue (2008-2009); General Assignment/Outdoor TV Reporter, KBCI-TV, Boise, Idaho (2005-2007).
- Education: Bachelor of science (communications), University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Katie Kuciemba Halse, Assistant Director, Intergovernmental Relations
(khalse@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-2860)
Katie coordinates the intergovernmental relations team representing the city and supporting City Council members at regional, state and federal forums. She has deep experience building partnerships, advising on policy and delivering strategic communications.
- Experience: Assistant Director, Intergovernmental Relations (2024-present); Transportation Policy Advisor, City of Bellevue (2021-2023); Associate Director - Public Affairs, PRR (2018 – 2021); Local Government Relations Manager, Port of Seattle (2016-2018); Senior Policy Analyst, Sound Cities Association (2015 - 2016); Community Outreach Supervisor, Sound Transit (2009-2015).
- Education: Master of arts (political management), The George Washington University; Bachelor of arts (political science, communications), University of Washington.
Charmaine Arredondo, City Clerk
(carredondo@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-6466)
As the city clerk, Charmaine is also the head of the City Clerk’s Office, overseeing enterprise records and information management, public disclosure, legislative process and City Council support, and overall operations of the clerk’s office. She also advises the council on matters arising throughout the deliberative process.
- Experience: Deputy Director/City Clerk (2016-present); Deputy City Clerk (2013-2016); Assistant to the City Manager (2007-2013); Supervisory Paralegal, United States Attorney’s Office (2003-2007); Judicial Operations Assistant, Superior Court (1998-2003).
- Education: Bachelor of arts (law and justice, political science), Central Washington University; Certified Municipal Clerk, International Institute of Municipal Clerks.