Eric Stavney of DeVry University has formally announced his candidacy for the City Council seat to be vacated by Councilmember Dean McColgan.

He joins Dini Duclos, Renee Maher, and Hope Elder as the fourth candidate for this position.

Stavney is a college professor of 18 years with a strong interest in environmental conservation and education.

He has worked at Highline Community College and the University of Washington, in addition to DeVry University.

Also a small business owner, Stavney brings recent experience as an entrepreneur in starting a jewelry manufacturing business. He is especially sensitive to the ease with which business owners can get licensed and timely processing of applications and permits by the city.

Stavney has served on the City I-5 Citizen Access Committee, with the focus of improving traffic flow and freeway access in the downtown area.

He currently serves on the Marketing Subcommittee of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and is Chair of the Tourism Enhancement Granting Committee.

He has also been very active as a City volunteer in monitoring water quality, cleaning up Lakota Creek, and performing stream restoration activities for the City.

In the community, Stavney has served for three years as President of the Board of the Friends of the Hylebos and as a board member for two years.

As a biology professor and through his involvement with the Friends, Stavney brings an understanding of the requirements for sustainable development while ensuring the quality of life and environmental health of the community.

Stavney is a member of the local Rainier Audubon Society and the Federal Way Noon Kiwanis Club.

He has worked on the staff of the Festival Days Committee and has been a vendor at the Farmers' Market.

Most recently, Stavney completed the Advancing Leadership Course offered by the Chamber of Commerce and played a significant role in making the class project a success.

Stavney is the father of two children in the Federal Way School District.

As an educator himself, Stavney seeks to find ways to bring city government and the education system closer together, so that they may work more in concert with each other.