Pierce County Councilmember Ryan Mello has been appointed the new Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Board.
Councilmember Mello is the Executive Director of the Pierce Conservation District where he leads a team of conservation professionals working to improve water quality and habitat function for people, fish and wildlife, increase access to local, healthy food for all and expand sustainable agriculture practices.
He was the first openly gay man to serve on the Tacoma City Council and served from 2010 – 2019. Previously, Ryan was elected citywide to the Metropolitan Park Board of Commissioners in 2005.
Councilmember Mello has a long history of service at the PSRC. As a Tacoma Councilmember, he served eight years on the Growth Management Policy Board, four as Vice Chair and four as the Chair. He previously served four years on the Transportation Policy Board representing Tacoma and rejoined the board as a Pierce County Councilmember in January 2021.