Longtime Bellevue resident, Bellevue Transportation Commission Chair, and Port of Seattle leader Janice Zahn announced her campaign for Bellevue City Council last week.
Zahn, a Chinese immigrant who has lived in Washington for more than 40 years, is running to bring needed experience in infrastructure, transportation and planning as well as hands-on work in Bellevue schools and neighborhoods to the council. She will declare the position she is seeking in the coming weeks.
“Bellevue is an award-winning city, with a thriving economy, excellent schools, and high quality of life, yet our rapid growth could jeopardize the reasons we have chosen to call Bellevue home,” Zahn said. “I want to put my years of experience in solving complex problems collaboratively and innovatively to address traffic congestion, rising housing costs, and tensions between livability and economic vitality.”
Zahn, who has a dual masters in structural engineering and in public administration from the University of Washington, has been leading construction management for the Port of Seattle for nearly a decade. In that role, she oversees the port’s major public works construction with over 50 employees and consultants and a construction budget of over $250 million in 2017.
“I’ve worked with Janice to address the complex needs of international businesses, the traveling public, and our regional infrastructure,” said Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton. “She is an outstanding advocate for the people of our region, and will be a great Councilmember for Bellevue.”
Selected to serve on the City of Bellevue Transportation Commission in 2013, Zahn has helped shape the commission’s review and recommendations regarding the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan, Vision Zero policy updates, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Implementation Initiative and multi-modal level of service. Zahn is also a graduate of Advance Bellevue (a legacy program of Leadership Eastside) and is currently in the Leadership Tomorrow program.
“Bellevue needs skilled, committed leaders like Janice Zahn,” said King County Council Member and former Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci. “Janice is an engineer who knows complex transportation and infrastructure – and how to make it work for taxpayers, commuters and our economy.”
A mother of two daughters, Megan, 18, and Leah, 15, Zahn has been a PTA leader at Puesta del Sol and currently at the International School where she serves as the legislative chair. She has also served as a Girl Scout leader for over 10 years, led Program for Early Parent Support groups, and volunteered with local organizations committed to children and families, homelessness and food insecurity.
“I have had the pleasure to know Janice as a parent volunteer supporting our teachers and schools for many years,” said Bellevue School Board Member, My-Linh Thai. “Janice is a passionate and thoughtful leader in many areas and will bring tremendous experience both professionally and culturally as a member of the Bellevue City Council.”
“I believe we can do better to be inclusive and to celebrate the diversity of our residents and neighborhoods,” said Zahn. “On the Council, I will work to create better partnerships and improve engagement and transparency so that, together, we can create an even better Bellevue.”
Zahn lives in the Greenwich Crest neighborhood with her husband of 27 years, Dwain, and their daughters. They are active members of the Aldersgate United Methodist church.
