State Sen. Fred Jarrett of Mercer Island will join King County Executive Elect Dow Constantine’s forthcoming administration as deputy executive, the highest ranking staff position in the incoming administration. Constantine announced the news today.

Jarrett will give up his legislative seat in Olympia in order to take the reins of the day-to-day operations of King County government. Jarrett will also oversee the implementation of Constantine’s ambitious reform agenda.

Jarrett, a former Mercer Island mayor, brings experience in both the public and private sector to the new position. In addition to once being a Boeing executive, Jarrett is a widely praised legislative leader with expertise in transportation, job training and creation, and performance governance.

“Fred’s willingness to assume this leadership role will assure that the ideas he and I shared on the campaign trail, and those generated by our large, diverse transition team, will be carried forward at the County,” Constantine said. “I cannot think of a more perfect fit to address the challenges and opportunities that we face while we remain true to our core values.”

The deputy executive position will be enhanced as compared to some previous administrations, a clear second in command. Jarrett will primarily serve as the County’s Chief Operating Officer.

The Island resident, currently one of the co-chairs of the Constantine transition committee, said he was honored to accept this key leadership role in the Constantine administration and was eager to move forward on implementing Constantine’s reform agenda once the new administration takes charge on Nov. 24.