Mercer Island Development Services Director Steve Lancaster will be leaving the city to work as city administrator for Tukwila on Jan. 19. Lancaster was offered the position earlier this month.

“I wasn’t looking to leave,” Lancaster explained. “This is a wonderful organization and I have truly enjoyed serving the citizens of Mercer Island. However, Tukwila offered me an exciting opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Before coming to Mercer Island, Lancaster served 12 years as Tukwila’s director of community development.

The position of Tukwila city administrator opened due to a cascade of job changes. Rhonda Berry, Tukwila’s current city administrator, was recruited by Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett to serve as his assistant. Jarrett, former state senator, state representative and Mercer Island mayor, accepted the position as King County Executive Dow Constantine’s second-in-command last month.

Having worked with him in the past, Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton approached Lancaster with an invitation to take on the open post of city administrator. The Islander accepted and Haggerton formally announced the appointment on Dec. 15. Lancaster will serve as the chief administrative officer for Tukwila.

Mercer Island City Manager Rich Conrad, although sad to let Lancaster go, fully supports his choice.

“Steve has done a superb job for us and we will all miss his professionalism, his knowledge and his genuine ‘good guy’ personality,” said Conrad. “Steve leaves the Development Services Department in fantastic shape organizationally and skill-wise. He will become one of my colleagues and I look forward to working with him in that capacity.”

Manny Ocampo, who is currently serving as Mercer Island’s interim Parks and Recreation director, will serve as interim Development Services director while city staff begins the recruitment process. Meanwhile, staff are close to finding a new Parks and Recreation director. They expect to fill this position within weeks.