About Bruce and Family

Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Council Member

• B.A. Political Science (1980 U.W. Academic All-American; 2007 University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award);
• M.A. Organizational Design and Improvement (Dean’s List);
• University of Washington’s 2012 Timeless Award Winner
• Juris Doctorate (Washington State Bar Association, 9th Circuit).

Previous Occupation: Attorney

Bruce Harrell and his wife Joanne Harrell’s civic commitment to our region has spanned three decades. Bruce Harrell is currently Chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee and vice-chair of the Transportation Committee. Bruce began his public service in 1980 working for the Seattle City Council under then Council President Paul Kraabel. Bruce’s professional career excelled when, in 1987, he joined US WEST, now QWEST (Counsel, Senior Attorney and Chief Counsel). There he developed legal expertise in telecommunications, technology and complex negotiations. In 1998, he entered private practice where he served in a variety of leadership roles, representing children and seniors, employees and employers, affordable housing companies and small businesses. Bruce has been particularly recognized in the community for his pro bono work with small businesses. Bruce served as chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, and Chief Counsel to U S WEST.

Bruce attended K-12 in Seattle Public Schools graduating valedictorian in 1976 from Garfield High School. Bruce then accepted a football scholarship to the University of Washington (1978 Rose Bowl Champion, 1979 Sun Bowl Champion, 1979 Most Valuable Defensive Player Award, 1st Team All Pac-10, 2008 Husky Legend award, #55) playing under the legendary Coach Don James. In 1984, Bruce graduated from the University of Washington’s Law School and was subsequently elected to the UW Alumni Board of Trustees. While in college, Bruce participated in the UW’s Prisoner Counseling Program where he tutored inmates at the Monroe reformatory allowing them to earn a G.E.D. and re-enter society as productive members.

Joanne Harrell is Senior-Director, US Citizenship and Public Affairs. She’s worked for Microsoft since 2001 leading an array of global sales and marketing functions in the Enterprise & Partner Group, OEM, World-wide Sales Operations and on the US State and Local Government Team. In 2009, Governor Gregoire appointed Joanne to the University of Washington Board of Regents. Joanne’s work history is extensive and encompasses senior operational and strategy roles within the high-tech, Telecommunications and the non-profit environments. Past positions include Senior Vice-President, InfoSpace; President and CEO, United Way of King County (UWKC) and Vice-President and CEO, US WEST Nebraska operations. Joanne has received awards for excellence in Marketing and Brand Management programs. She is a Conference Board/Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow and has attended marketing management programs at Columbia University (1991) and Stanford University (1995). Joanne has also completed Stanford’s Advanced Management College and a non-profit management program at the Harvard Business School. Her BA and MBA are from the University of Washington. She has also served as a Commissioner for the Seattle Zoo Commission (1995); Chairperson for the King County Redistricting Commission (1993); Member, International Women’s Forum; and Member of the Belizean Grove (International Women’s Organization). Joanne also serves on the board of REI and on the Board of Trustees for AAA of Washington and was elected as its 2008 Chairwoman.

Bruce and Joanne are raising their family in the Mt. Baker neighborhood and they enjoy the outdoors, fishing, jogging, exercising and swimming.

2012-2013 Seattle City Council Committees

Chair: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology
Vice-Chair: Transportation
Member: Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture
Member: Labor Relations Policy
Alternate: Libraries, Utilities and Center
Member: SR 520 Project – Special Committee
Member: Budget – Special Committee
Member: Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program – Special Committee
Member: Library Levy – Special Committee

2012-2013 External Committees and Boards & Commissions Oversight/Appointment Authority

Chair: Firefighters Pension Board
Chair: Police Pension Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board
Member: Regional Law Safety & Justice Committee
Member: Domestic Violence Prevention Council
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Alternate: King County Board of Health
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable
Fire Code Advisory Board
Public Safety Civil Service Commission
OPA Review Board
Citizens Telecommunication and Technology Advisory Board
Seattle Women’s Commission
Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities
Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission (LGBT)
Council on African American Elders

2010-2011 Committees

Chair: Energy, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee
Chair: Law and Risk Management Committee
Vice-Chair: Seattle Public Utilities & Neighborhoods Committee
Member: Parks & Seattle Center Committee
Alternate: Transportation Committee
Alternate: Public Safety & Education
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Member: Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: Seattle Firefighters Pension Board
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Member: Seattle Police Chief Search Committee
Seattle City Light Committee
Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board
Women’s Commission
People with Disabilities Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission
Human Rights Commission

2008-2009 Committees

Chair: Energy & Technology Committee
Vice-Chair: Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee
Member: Housing and Economic Development Committee
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: King County Flood Control Zone Advisory Committee
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Member: Reinvesting in Youth – Strategies to prevent youth from dropping out from school
Member: Public Safety Planning Client Group
Seattle City Light Advisory Committee
Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board