Submitted by Town of Friday Harbor.

Local resident, Denice Kulseth has been selected by Mayor Ray Jackson to replace Duncan Wilson as Town Administrator of Friday Harbor.

The Mayor of Friday Harbor appoints the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator serves at-will as the chief administrator, working with the Mayor and Town Council, and keeping the public and Council informed on all operations. Kulseth was among the finalists interviewed by a panel of Town management & elected officials, including Mayor-elect Ray Jackson and two Councilmembers.

The Town Council will consider a motion to approve an employment contact with Kulseth on Thursday, January 6th.

“Denice has a really good working knowledge of the Island, the people, the issues we have here, and relationships between our local organizations including the Town and County,” Jackson said. “I am confident she is up to the job.”

Kulseth has served in State and Local government for most of her professional career. She worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, then was appointed County Attorney for Santa Fe County where she advised the County Commission and all departments on the day-to-day operations of County government. Kulseth and her husband John (elected SJC Assessor) moved to San Juan Island in 2000 to raise their family. In 2019, after their children graduated from Friday Harbor High School, Kulseth accepted a position with San Juan County and has been promoted twice since. She is currently serving as Management Analyst for County Manager Mike Thomas.