Government

Derek Young reelected as Pierce County Council chair

Derek Young was reelected by his peers as Pierce County Council chairman for 2022 at Tuesday’s regular meeting, the first of the year. This will be the final year on the Council for Young, D-Gig Harbor, who was elected in 2015 and reelected in 2019. Term limits prevent him from running again. Marty Campbell, D-East Tacoma, was elected as vice chair and Dave Morell, R-South Hill, as executive pro tempore.

The chair presides at regular council meetings, while the vice chair presides in the absence of the chair. The executive pro tempore performs some of the county executive’s duties in the executive’s absence or temporary disability.

Derek Young

Young served as chair in 2021 and as exec pro tempore in 2020, chaired the Community Development and Human Services committees, and served on the Public Safety and Rules and Operations committees. He also has served on various regional boards and commissions.

“Last year Council laid the groundwork around its priorities, including reducing street homelessness, establishing programs to support behavioral health needs, addressing countywide gaps in broadband and passing a budget that funded these goals,” Young said in a press release. “As I enter my final year on Council, I am committed to achieving Council’s priorities and supporting our communities still grappling with the effects of the pandemic.”

Young represents District 7, which serves the communities of Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula, Fox Island, and parts of North and West Tacoma.

Born in Indiana, Young moved to Gig Harbor with his family at the age of 8. He attended Peninsula public schools, and after coming home from college, worked in the private sector in finance and consulting.

In 1997, at the age of 21, Young was elected to the Gig Harbor City Council. Winning reelection three more times, he spent 16 years leading locally and regionally on growth, transportation and budget policy.