Dennis Smith, Sequim city council member and former mayor, recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

The certificate recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in four core areas: roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements; public sector resource management; community planning and development, and effective local leadership.

Smith completed more than 30 hours of training credits to earn this distinction. He was appointed to the city council in 2012 and elected in 2014 and 2018. He served as deputy mayor in 2014 and 2015 and as mayor from 2016 through 2019.

Smith serves on the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Shiso Sister City Association, City of Sequim Finance Committee, and as liaison to the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce. He previously served on the Board for Clallam Transit and as liaison to the City of Sequim Planning Commission.

“Cities and towns around the state are continually transforming in light of changing laws and the need to meet new challenges and opportunities,” AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King said.

“Our Certificate of Municipal Leadership program helps mayors and council members sharpen the tools they need today to understand the legal landscape, plan for the future, manage their resources, and foster strong relationships. The elected officials who earn this certificate demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and a desire to bring new ideas back to their community.”

Founded in 1933, the Association of Washington Cities is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan corporation that serves its members through advocacy, education and services before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. AWC also provides training, data and publications.