Get to Know the WSACRPD President!

Get to Know the WSACRPD President!

We reached out to the President of the Washington State Association of County and Regional Planning Directors (WSACRPD), Michelle Mercer, Grant County Planning Manager, to learn more about their affiliate group, what they do, and why they're important.

Question: Please introduce yourself. What's your county employment journey, your education, and hobbies or interests, Michelle!

Answer: Michelle Mercer is the Planning Manager for Grant County and has over 10 years of county planning experience. She previously worked for Benton County where she found her keen interest in the intersection of rural land use and energy, agricultural, and water policy. Prior to her time in local government, Michelle worked in forestry policy as well as running photographic conservation safari lodges in Africa.

Michelle currently serves as the President for the Washington State County and Regional Planning Directors (WSACRPD) Association and when not championing rural land use issues she can be found fishing, backpacking in the wilderness, or traveling abroad.

Question: Why did you get involved in the group? What do you see as the value the group offers?

Answer: I first got involved with WSACRPD when I was invited to serve on the Executive Team as a new Planning Manager for Benton County. That opportunity let me immediately connect with peers across the state and learn from their deep planning experience.

For me, WSACRPD’s value is in the shared learning it creates. I have direct access to colleagues with decades of experience who generously share codes, templates, lessons learned, and honest advice. WSACRPD's coordination on legislation and statewide policy, ensures that we feel supported and are not responding to new regulations in isolation. Overall, our association keeps me plugged into a network of people who truly understand the unique pressures of county land use planning in Washington State.

Question: Why did you choose to engage in a leadership role within this group? What has been your favorite part so far?

Answer: I stepped into a leadership role in this group after being volunteered by my peers. After volunteering on other statewide planning boards, I saw the potential for this group to better support county planners and I wanted to be part of shaping that support for counties.

My favorite part of being President so far has been helping to bring new energy and focus to our association, especially through the establishment of the annual WSACRPD conference. Seeing colleagues from across the state come together, reconnect, share ideas, and leave feeling inspired has been incredibly rewarding and has reminded me how powerful this network can be when it is supported.