Mary Wideman-Williams
President

Mary is the Director of Employment Services and Training with the City of Seattle Personnel Department. She joined the SMA board in 2004 and was elected board president in 2006. Mary has worked for the City for nine years, joining Seattle Public Utilities' Human Resources division in 1998. With a passion for strategic human resources and organizational development, Mary particularly appreciates the opportunities SMA affords its members to learn and grow together.

Darby DuComb
Secretary

Darby DuComb is Director of Seattle's Customer Service Bureau. Prior to that, she worked as the Code Compliance Manager for the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). And prior to that, she spent over 6 years working as an Assistant City Attorney in the Land Use Section of the Seattle City Attorney's Office. Darby joined SMA in an effort to connect with other program managers and take advantage of the management expertise of the membership. In 2006 Darby was elected to the Board of Directors for SMA.

Martha Burke
Treasurer

Martha is Planning Manager for the Wastewater Division with Seattle Public Utilities. She joined the SMA Board in 2005 and was elected Treasurer in 2006. Martha has worked for the City for 16 years, and has been a member of SMA since she joined the City. She is also co-chair of the Leadership and Management Committee and planned a number of the past SMA presentations including “The Language of Leadership”, “Covering City Hall”, “Effective Asset Management” and last year’s State of the City with Mayor Nickels. Martha is interested in applying new management ideas directly to our City experience, and developing creative approaches to management in times of limited resources.

Darwyn Anderson
Board Member

I believe my background and experience will be of value to SMA. As the Human Resources Director at Seattle Parks & Recreation, I am charged with the responsibility for establishing strategic direction regarding workforce development. Additionally, my 13 years with the City has taken me from a front line staff position, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, to my current Human Resources Director position. I believe my experiences will add value to the SMA board that will be very insightful in assisting the SMA to continue being the City of Seattle's leading professional development organization by promoting excellence and integrity in City management, and by being a champion for the value of public sector leadership. I look forward to serving each and every member of the SMA.

Bobby Forch
Board Member

I've had the honor of working for the City for eighteen years and I'm currently working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) as a Strategic Advisor in the Major Projects Division. In my current position I advise SDOT staff on issues related to business outreach efforts required for major contracts with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Women and Minority-owned Business (WMBE) requirements. I also work directly on other social equity related initiatives sponsored by the City, especially on major SDOT projects such as the Viaduct Replacement Project. I attribute my leadership success at the City to building strong relationships, maintaining open-communication and forming partnerships that help us achieve our goals. I'm passionate about working collaboratively, about diversity and about managing for success. I look forward to putting my skills to work for SMA through a leadership role on the Board.

Aurora Mendoza
Board Member

Aurora works for Seattle Public Utilities' Utility Systems Management Branch as a Strategic Advisor. Aurora has worked for the City for 13 years beginning in 1994 and was elected as board member in 2006. Aurora believes that SMA connects managers and leaders, provides the opportunity to exlore new ways of doing business and use these connections to identify practical, common-sense ways that we can keep City services operating at the highest levels of services.

Nick Pealy
Board Member

Nick Pealy became deputy director of SPU's Field Operations and Maintenance Branch in November, 2005, overseeing the City’s water, wastewater and drainage systems. Prior to this, he worked in various areas in SPU as a rates supervisor, finance manager, director of strategic planning and information technology as well as working for the City Council as a senior utilities economist. Nick joined Seattle Management Association (SMA) in 1987 and became Board President in 2005. He was the recipient of SMA’s Leadership Excellence award in 2002.

Kathy Peterson
Board Member

Kathy works for Seattle Public Utilities as a Business Process and Systems Analyst. Kathy has worked for the City for over eleven years spending the majority of her career managing special projects/programs and strategic planning for the Department of Executive Administration in the Purchasing and Contracting Services Division. Kathy was appointed to the SMA Board in the spring of 2007 to fill a vacated position. Working collaboratively, building relationships and focusing on continuous improvement are skills that Kathy believes ensure the success of City leadership. Through the programs and networking opportunities offered by SMA, Kathy believes that employees have the opportunity to enhance their professional and leadership goals.

Marquinta Williams
Executive Director

Marquinta Williams joined SMA as the Executive Director in April 2008.  A recent graduate of Tennessee State University, Marquinta received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing.  She sees the work of SMA as a perfect fit for her interests and education and looks forward to assisting the Board with the planned growth and development of the organization.  Marquinta's passion for marketing and event planning promises to be a key asset for the membership of SMA.