Her hands full with farming and finances, Heidi Hietpas is back on the Olympic Peninsula.

The former Sequim resident recently was hired as interim executive director of finance and operations for the Sequim School District, replacing Brian Lewis.

Lewis, who accepted a job as executive director of operations for the Arlington Public Schools in late August, had served the Sequim School District since 2007.

The Sequim School Board made the move official at its Oct. 3 meeting.

Hietpas officially started the one-year interim position with the district on Sept. 14, but she’ll also be busy working at Nash’s Organic Produce farm.

Born and raised in Sequim, Hietpas was director of finance and operations for the Lynden School District from 2012-2015. Prior to that, she served as assistant state auditor and assistant audit manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office (2007-2012).

She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Western Washington University and is a certified public accountant in Washington.

Hietpas said she always had a passion for education, first entering college with the intent to teach physical education. Hietpas stayed in Bellingham after she was done with school to work for the local branch of the state auditor’s office.

She made the switch to the education field when a job as business manager opened at the Lynden School District near Bellingham.

After spending three years with the Lynden School District, however, Hietpas and her husband Forest are in Sequim.

“I have spent the last year creating my own business, involving myself in the community and learning to farm, another passion of mine,” Hietpas said. “I am excited for the opportunity to work for and with the students, educators and support staff at Sequim School District.”

“We’re very fortunate to find someone who has accounting skills and public school experience,” Sequim schools superintendent Gary Neal said.

Contact Hietpas at 582-3266 or hhietpas@sequim.k12.wa.us.