Association Of Washington Cities

Olympia, WA · Founded 1933

Statewide membership association supporting Washington cities and towns through education, pooling programs, and advocacy

Primary audience

Municipal Governments

Work area

Membership Association

Topic

Local Government Support

Contact

Deanna Dawson

Website Contact

About Organization

The Association of Washington Cities connects and supports municipal governments across Washington State through data-driven education, nationally recognized pooling programs, and nonpartisan advocacy. Based in Olympia, WA, the organization employs 80 staff members and operates with annual revenue of $17.7 million. Founded in 1933, it serves as the unified voice for Washington's diverse cities and towns.

What They Focus On

Municipal Governance Support

Providing education, resources, and training to help city officials effectively manage and lead their communities

Legislative Advocacy

Representing collective interests of Washington cities through nonpartisan policy advocacy at state and federal levels

Risk Management Services

Delivering cost-effective pooling programs and insurance solutions tailored to the needs of municipal governments

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$17.7M

+4.6% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$15.3M

-1.4% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$26.6M

+17.1% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

+11.1% vs 2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$17,650,663	$15,277,469	$26,557,983	80
2023	$16,880,914	$15,498,921	$22,685,942	72
2022	$14,780,358	$14,062,059	$24,888,101	84
2020	$13,716,510	$12,137,411	$20,998,472	82
2019	$13,468,682	$12,190,024	$17,170,303	83
2018	$12,318,044	$11,547,892	$14,608,751	72

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Connect Members

Build relationships between Washington's diverse cities and towns through networking and collaborative platforms
02

Educate Officials

Deliver data-driven training programs and resources to municipal leaders and staff across the state
03

Advocate Collectively

Represent member interests through nonpartisan legislative advocacy at state and federal government levels
04

Provide Pooling Programs

Offer cost-effective insurance and risk management services through nationally recognized pooling programs

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Association Of Washington Cities

Member Pooling Programs

Nationally recognized risk pooling and insurance programs providing cost-effective coverage and loss control services to member cities

Data-Driven Education

Training, conferences, and educational resources helping city officials and staff stay informed on municipal governance issues

Nonpartisan Advocacy

Legislative representation and policy advocacy advancing the interests of Washington cities at the state and federal levels

Member Connections

Networking opportunities and platforms facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among Washington's municipal leaders

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Association Of Washington Cities.

Deanna Dawson

Chief Executive Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $358,201

Alicia Seegers Martinelli

Deputy CEO/COO

Full-time

Compensation: $218,006

Candice Bock

Director Of Government Relations

Full-time

Compensation: $201,146

Carol Wilmes

Director, Member Pooling Programs

Full-time

Compensation: $196,114

Walter Gene Emmans

Chief Financial Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $181,113

Beverly Lakey

Trust Program Director

Full-time

Compensation: $177,957

Amy Ockerlander

President

3 hrs/week

Betsy Wilkerson

Immediate Past President

1 hrs/week

Fred Brink

Vice President

2 hrs/week

Carl Schroeder

Deputy Dir., Gov't Relations

Full-time

Compensation: $168,704

Sheila Gall

Legal Counsel

Full-time

Compensation: $165,894

April Petersen

Accounting Manager

Full-time

Compensation: $147,194

Ashley Jones

Claims & Pre-Lit Manager

Full-time

Compensation: $140,421

Amy Howard

Director

Ben Wick

Director

Brett Gailey

Director

Carl Florea

Director

Dan Strauss

Director

Dee Roberts

Director

Ed Prince

Director

Jillian Henze

Director

John Hines

Director

Josh Penner

Director

Julia Johnson

Director

Kristi Rowland

Director

Marla Keethler

Director

Matthew Lundh

Director

Micki Harnois

Director

Nancy Backus

Director

Rich Huebner

Director

Rob Putaansuu

Director

Ron Onslow

Director

Stephanie Lucash

Director

Tammy Morales

Director

Wendy Weiker

Director

Zack Zappone

Director

Milestones

1933

Organization Founded

1933

Association of Washington Cities established to represent municipal governments statewide

1943

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

1943

Received IRS recognition as tax-exempt organization supporting municipal governance

2018

Revenue Growth Begins

2018

Marked start of sustained revenue growth from $12.3 million to $17.7 million

2024

Record Revenue Achieved

2024

Reached highest revenue in organization history at $17.7 million serving Washington cities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Amy Howard Director 1.00 hrs/week

Ben Wick Director 1.00 hrs/week

Brett Gailey Director 1.00 hrs/week

Carl Florea Director 1.00 hrs/week

Dan Strauss Director 1.00 hrs/week

Dee Roberts Director 1.00 hrs/week

Ed Prince Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jillian Henze Director 1.00 hrs/week

John Hines Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jon Nehring Secretary 2.00 hrs/week

Josh Penner Director 1.00 hrs/week

Julia Johnson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kristi Rowland Director 1.00 hrs/week

Marla Keethler Director 1.00 hrs/week

Matthew Lundh Director 1.00 hrs/week

Micki Harnois Director 1.00 hrs/week

Nancy Backus Director 1.00 hrs/week

Rich Huebner Director 1.00 hrs/week

Rob Putaansuu Director 1.00 hrs/week

Ron Onslow Director 1.00 hrs/week

Stephanie Lucash Director 1.00 hrs/week

Tammy Morales Director 1.00 hrs/week

Wendy Weiker Director 1.00 hrs/week

Zack Zappone Director 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$2.5M

Highest Paid

$448K

Deanna Dawson

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Deanna Dawson	Chief Executive Officer	$358,201	$89,367	$447,568	50
Alicia Seegers Martinelli	Deputy CEO/COO	$218,006	$53,815	$271,821	40
Candice Bock	Director Of Government Relations	$201,146	$61,102	$262,248	40
Carol Wilmes	Director, Member Pooling Programs	$196,114	$49,549	$245,663	40
Walter Gene Emmans	Chief Financial Officer	$181,113	$60,164	$241,277	40
Beverly Lakey	Trust Program Director	$177,957	$56,474	$234,431	40
Carl Schroeder	Deputy DIR., Gov'T Relations	$168,704	$49,067	$217,771	40
April Petersen	Accounting Manager	$147,194	$54,115	$201,309	40
Sheila Gall	Legal Counsel	$165,894	$32,671	$198,565	40
Ashley Jones	Claims & Pre-Lit Manager	$140,421	$54,795	$195,216	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Deanna Dawson	Chief Executive Officer	$339,542	$71,662	$411,204	50
Candice Bock	Director Of Government Relations	$192,980	$56,386	$249,366	40
Alicia Seegers Martinelli	Deputy Chief Executive/COO	$194,178	$49,246	$243,424	40
Carol Wilmes	Director Member Pooling Programs	$184,781	$47,251	$232,032	40
Walter Gene Emmans	Chief Financial Officer	$169,834	$57,496	$227,330	40
Tonia Sugarman	Director Of Member Services	$168,005	$56,690	$224,695	40
Beverly Lakey	Program Director	$167,042	$55,100	$222,142	40
Ashley Jones	Rmsa Claims & Pre-Lit Manager	$134,883	$52,441	$187,324	40
Sheila Gall	General Counsel	$155,692	$31,069	$186,761	40
April Petersen	Accounting Manager	$134,907	$51,532	$186,439	40
Carl Schroeder	Deputy Director Gvt Relations	$136,025	$42,395	$178,420	40
Peter King	Former Chief Executive Officer	$127,039	—	$127,039	—

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Alicia Martinelli	Deputy Chief Executive/COO	$239,977	$50,355	$290,332	40
Candice Bock	Director Of Government Relations	$173,656	$54,543	$228,199	40
Carol Wilmes	Director Member Pooling Programs	$183,018	$44,143	$227,161	40
Tonia Sugarman	Director Of Member Services	$167,270	$52,980	$220,250	40
Walter Gene Emmans	Chief Financial Officer	$158,772	$53,709	$212,481	40
Beverly Lakey	Program Director	$144,289	$50,966	$195,255	40
Carl Schroeder	Deputy Director Gvt Relations	$149,342	$42,053	$191,395	40
Sheila Gall	General Counsel	$148,978	$29,077	$178,055	40
Deanna Dawson	Chief Executive Officer	$155,231	$15,252	$170,483	50
Doug Evans	Information Security Manager	$133,871	$31,494	$165,365	40
Peter King	Former Chief Executive Officer	$139,984	—	$139,984	—

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Peter B King	Chief Executive Officer	$318,359	$59,465	$377,824	50
Ping Lu	Chief Financial Officer	$189,162	$40,253	$229,415	40
Alicia Martinelli	Deputy Chief Executive Officer/COO	$171,629	$44,541	$216,170	40
Candice Bock	Director Government Relations	$160,838	$50,201	$211,039	40
Carol Wilmes	Director Member Pooling Programs	$168,100	$40,640	$208,740	40
Tonia Sugarman	Director Member Services	$145,244	$50,430	$195,674	40
Beverly Lakey	Employee Benefits Trust Manager	$127,304	$45,024	$172,328	40
Adrienne De Cuir Beatty	Rmsa Manager	$124,323	$43,283	$167,606	40
Sheila Gall	General Counsel	$137,752	$26,163	$163,915	40
Doug Evans	IT Manager	$125,261	$37,110	$162,371	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Peter B King	Chief Executive Officer	$312,717	$59,181	$371,898	50
Ping Lu	Chief Financial Officer	$185,173	$42,279	$227,452	40
Alicia Seeger Martinelli	Deputy Chief Executive Officer/COO	$170,419	$44,312	$214,731	40
Carol Wilmes	Director Member Pooling Programs	$164,718	$45,976	$210,694	40
Candice Bock	Director Government Relations	$156,183	$50,269	$206,452	40
Tonia Sugarman	Director Of Member Services	$141,653	$49,198	$190,851	40
Adrienne De Cuir Beatty	Rmsa Manager	$134,061	$47,425	$181,486	40
Sheila Gall	Legal Counsel	$135,657	$26,757	$162,414	40
Carl Schroeder	Government Relations Advocate	$121,763	$40,396	$162,159	40
Doug Evans	IT Manager	$116,493	$35,742	$152,235	40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

1 Registrations

1 Client

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

Association Of Washington Business

1 filing

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Association Of Washington Cities

Phone

(360) 753-4137

Social

Visit Website

1076 Franklin Street SE Olympia, WA 985011346

Association Of Washington Cities

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Connect Members

Educate Officials

Advocate Collectively

Provide Pooling Programs

Programs and Initiatives

Member Pooling Programs

Data-Driven Education

Nonpartisan Advocacy

Member Connections

Team & Leadership

Deanna Dawson

Alicia Seegers Martinelli

Candice Bock

Carol Wilmes

Walter Gene Emmans

Beverly Lakey

Amy Ockerlander

Betsy Wilkerson

Fred Brink

Carl Schroeder

Sheila Gall

April Petersen

Ashley Jones

Amy Howard

Ben Wick

Brett Gailey

Carl Florea

Dan Strauss

Dee Roberts

Ed Prince

Jillian Henze

John Hines

Josh Penner

Julia Johnson

Kristi Rowland

Marla Keethler

Matthew Lundh

Micki Harnois

Nancy Backus

Rich Huebner

Rob Putaansuu

Ron Onslow

Stephanie Lucash

Tammy Morales

Wendy Weiker

Zack Zappone

Milestones

Organization Founded

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

Revenue Growth Begins

Record Revenue Achieved

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Lobbying Activity

Clients 1 total

Contact

Phone

Social