Seattle (May 16, 2019) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today she will nominate Bobby Humes to serve as the permanent Director of the Seattle Department of Human Resources (SDHR). Humes has served as the Interim Director of SDHR since February 2019, and is an experienced specialist in workforce development, labor relations, and diversity and inclusion practices.
“Bobby has proven himself to be a dedicated public servant with a commitment to and passion for advancing race and social justice, and delivering critical services for our City employees,” said Mayor Durkan. “He is dedicated to creating a workplace where our City employees can feel safe and comfortable, and can thrive and embrace opportunities for advancement. I am confident that Bobby will help SDHR, and our entire City, build a workforce of the future that attracts and retains the best and brightest talent, and focuses on advancing racial equity and social justice in everything we do.”
“I am humbled and honored to accept the role of Director for the City of Seattle’s Human Resources Department. I look forward to working collaboratively with human resource leaders and professionals throughout greater Seattle to create inclusive environments for our employees and to ensure the City is an employer of choice in our region,” said Humes.
Humes’s nomination followed a search process that sought feedback from an internal search committee composed of City of Seattle staff, labor representatives, City Council staff, and outreach to SDHR team members.
Prior to taking on the role of Interim Director of SDHR, Humes was the Director of Human Resources at the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. He previously served as the Director of Human Resources at the Kent School District, where he supported the HR needs of over 4,000 employees at 43 sites across three cities in South King County. While at the Kent School District, Humes worked to ensure equity was a key part of the District’s recruiting and hiring practices, and developed internal programs to create a safe and welcoming workplace. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Army.