John remains as committed to balanced, bipartisan leadership as he did when he first ran for City Council. Since his election to the Council, he has helped guide Bellevue through new plans and projects with focus and stability.

John led the passage of the Downtown Livability Initiative, better preparing Bellevue to respond to growth and build density without sacrificing the character of its neighborhoods. He has also been a leading voice for affordability, pushing Bellevue to offer additional services to support those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. As the Council’s liaison to the City Planning Commission, John has also supported taking proactive measures to address growth.

John is also a key advocate for multi-modal transportation, aiming to build a Bellevue connected by transit options, including development of Bellevue’s Grand Connection and the Eastside Rail Corridor. He has helped move Light Rail forward on time and within budget while incorporating the best elements for the route.

A strong education advocate and outdoorsman, John has remained committed to Bellevue’s kids including supporting our great public schools and promoting resources including the new Boys and Girls Club and Kids Quest facilities, the Downtown Park and Meydenbauer Bay Park, plus the trails and neighborhood parks that keep Bellevue a great community.

Council Assignments and Appointments

• Chair, King Conservation District Advisory Committee
• Cascade Water Alliance Board
• Cascade Water Alliance Resource Management Committee
• Eastside Transportation Partnership Steering Committee
• King County Flood Control District Advisory Committee
• Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Group (alt)
• Puget Sound Regional Council Growth Management Policy Board (alt)
• King County Regional Policy Committee
• WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council
• Cedar River Corridor Restoration Task Force
• Disability Board Liaison
• Planning Commission Liaison
• Leadership Program for Wrap Around Services
• Council Liaison for The Performing Arts Center Eastside

Past Council Assignments and Appointments

• Jail Administration Elected Assembly
• Sound Transit Eastlink Collaborative Design Leadership Team
• Environmental Services Commission Liaison

Community Service

• Eastside Pathways C0-Founder and Board Member, 2010 – Present
• Parks and Community Services Board Member, 2008-2011
• Eastgate/I-90 Citizen Advisory Committee Member, 2010-2011
• Bellevue Parks Yes! Levy Steering Committee, 2007
• Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) Trustee, 2001-2010
• BSF Bridging the Achievement Gap Grant Committee Chair, 2002-2010
• BSF Grant Making and Resource Development Committees, 2003-Present
• Bellevue School District (BSD) Fiscal Advisory Committee Member, 2010 – Present
• BSD Instructional Materials Committee, 2003 – 2006
• BSD Disciplinary Appeals Committee, 2005 – 2011
• BSD Program Delivery Committee Revision and Oversight Team, 1995-2005
• Bellevue PTSA (BPTSA) Council President, 1999 – 2001
• BPTSA Officer Positions and Council Board Member, 1999-2010
• Woodridge Elementary PTSA President, 1993 – 1994
• Chinook Middle School & Bellevue High School PTSA Offices
• Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Legislative Director, 2001 – 2003
• WSPTA Finance Officer, 2005
• WSPTA Legislative Focus Day Co-Chair, 2009
• WSPTA Region 6 Service Delivery Team, 2002 – 2008
• Eastside Heritage Center Board Member, 2009- Present, Treasurer, 2010 – 2012
• Friends of the Cedar River Watershed Board Member & President
• National PTA Legislative and Field Service Committees, 2001 – 2007
• National PTA Trainer, 2003 – 2007

Employment

• Senior Attorney, SSA, Office of Hearings & Appeals, Retired, 1991 – 2008
• Stokes Law Office, Dallas Texas, Solo Law Practice, 1985 – 1991
• Regional Counsel, US Department of Health & Social Services, Dallas, TX
• Associate Attorney, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, Washington DC and NYC

Education

• The George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctorate
• Texas Tech University, BA., Political Science

Personal

• Wife Bettina, daughter Genevieve and son John Jr.
• Washington State PTA Outstanding Advocate, 2009
• Bellevue PTSA Council Outstanding Service Award, Outstanding Advocate Award and Golden Acorn Award