Key city staffers

Here are other City Hall officials who will figure prominently in the interim administration:

“ City Attorney Michael Connelly, a veteran lawyer with years of experience in municipal legal matters. Among other things, he is coordinating arrangements for the independent investigation of Mayor Jim West’s use of city computers and internship programs.

Connelly has served on the Latah Town Council and on the Liberty School Board. His legal experience also includes stints as a pro-tem Spokane County Superior Court commissioner, as a hearing examiner for the city of Airway Heights, and as a private practice lawyer before joining government service. He has held his current post since 2001.

“ Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley, an experienced finance executive in the public and private sectors who serves as the city’s primary liaison with the financial markets. His day-to-day responsibilities include ensuring the city meets financial expectations and can pay its bills.

Prior to joining the city in 2003, Cooley served as a chief financial officer for North Coast Life and for R.J. Martin Mortgage Co. Previously, he worked with Coopers and Lybrand in Spokane and Price Waterhouse in Seattle.

“ Police Chief Roger Bragdon, who has been with the Spokane force since 1973 and worked his way up through the ranks. Although he has experience overseeing the special investigations unit, the department won’t be handling the investigation in to West’s use of city computers and internships because of Bragdon’s close ties to West, a former deputy sheriff, and because city officials want the probe to be independent.

Bragdon is a veteran law enforcement officer who also has experience commanding the patrol division and detectives. He holds positions on various advisory groups on anti-terrorism strategies.

“ Fire Chief Bobby Williams, who in 1988 became the first Spokane fire chief to be selected from outside the department. He is credited with helping secure passage of two fire bonds and with helping coordinate a regional approach to fire service dispatch and communications services.

Prior to arriving in Spokane, Williams served as fire chief in Billings, Mont., as deputy fire chief in Clovis, N.M., and as an administrative specialist with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in fire protection and safety, he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University.

“ Public Works Director Roger Flint, who has held various roles within City Hall, including assistant city manager. He oversees the city’s largest department, which has more than 800 workers and is responsible for many of the services key to the lives of Spokane residents, ranging from streets and sewers to utility billing and code enforcement.

Flint has served in various capacities within the city during the past 18 years, and has experience in community planning, infrastructure development and engineering oversight. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and serves on various professional boards and commissions.

SOURCE: City of Spokane.