Redmond public works director retires for the third time

Published 4:12 pm Thursday, August 1, 2013

The popular saying is that the third time’s the charm.

And for Tim Fuller, that’s looking to be the case. After about four decades in public service, the former City of Redmond public works director has retired for the third time.

The first time was from the St. Paul Fire Department (SPFD) in 2003; the second time was from the Redmond Fire Department (RFD) in 2011; now he has retired from being the City of Redmond’s public works director. His last day was Thursday.

When asked if he could be lured out of retirement again, he laughed and said no.

“I just turned 65. It’s about time (I retired),” he said. “I’ve been in public service since 1971.”

Fuller began his career as a firefighter with SPFD and was the fire chief from 1991 to the time he retired from the department. He and his wife Martha moved to Seattle in July 2004 when she became the CFO for the Seattle Seahawks.

After his neighbor — City of Redmond human resources director Kerry Sievers — suggested he apply for the job, Fuller became the RFD fire chief in February 2005. He spent six years with the city, which included about a year heading the Redmond Police Department (RPD) while the city conducted a search for a new police chief after former Chief Steve Harris retired in 2009. Fuller retired and left the RFD when his wife became the CFO for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Fuller’s second retirement lasted about 18 months. He and Martha moved back up to the Pacific Northwest and when Redmond Mayor John Marchione heard this, he asked the former fire chief to step in as interim public works director after former longtime director Bill Campbell retired. The “interim” part of Fuller’s title was removed in summer 2012.

“Tim possesses excellent leadership skills,” Marchione said about bringing Fuller back as public works director, despite him having no background in the field. “He articulates the city vision clearly, knows the interconnections of city government and inspires the organization to flourish.”

The mayor added that “technical proficiency is much easier to find than firm, clear leadership.”

“I will miss Tim’s clear thinking, straightforward talk and his love for improving every organization he led,” Marchione said about Fuller’s retirement.

Fuller said it was easy for him to say yes to Marchione because his time at the city has always been positive. He said the mayor has created an environment in which people can grow and prosper and be successful, which is similar to Fuller’s leadership style. Fuller said he likes to get people to realize their potential and get them involved in decision making. He also emphasizes the importance of relationships both within a department and with other departments.

Ron Grant, who will serve as interim public works director while the city conducts a search for someone to fill the position, can attest to this.

“Tim provided a better understanding to our staff of relational leadership, which emphasizes the importance of establishing positive relationships with each other in order to gain the trust necessary to continuously improve as an organization,” he said.

Grant, who plans to retire at the beginning of next year, said Fuller’s history in the fire department and his relationship with the mayor helped him fit into the role as public works director quickly.

Fuller said it has been rewarding for him to see what goes on in the city from different perspectives and praised the public works department, saying the people working there are intelligent and highly skilled professionals.

“Public works is a great organization,” he said. “Redmond is very well positioned for the future.”

Fuller said he had to learn a new language while working in public works and sees things much differently — something he has gained from all his different jobs.

He said his background in firefighting taught him to look for exits and sprinklers when he enters a building. His brief stint working at RPD has taught him to make sure to always lock his car and hide any valuables from sight. And his time in public works has him seeing the infrastructure behind the city’s buildings and roads.

“There’s a whole lot that goes on that keeps the city humming along,” he said.