John Pilcher

John Pilcher became the City’s Chief Operating Officer on March 1, 2007. In that role, Pilcher is responsible for day-to-day operations of our City government, with its 2,000 employees and $500 million annual budget. The City’s Division Directors also report to Pilcher.

As Chief Operating Officer, Pilcher says his goal is to make the City more responsive and effective in its delivery of services. He strives to work with the Mayor, the City Council, employees, citizens, businesses, and neighborhoods to reach toward that goal.

Currently, Pilcher is leading work on behalf of Mayor Dennis Hession on a number of key projects designed to change the organization as part of an effort to make the City of Spokane Best in Class in the nation. Those projects include:

• Implementing the City’s Efficiency & Effectiveness Study. This study was commissioned in late 2006 and received in early 2007. The study includes about 250 recommendations to help the City become more efficient and effective in its service delivery.


• Creating of a Citywide Strategic Plan, with an emphasis on work in 2007. The plan will be completed in early April and will guide work for the remainder of the year and beyond.


• Establishing a new emphasis on open government and customer service. This work will include the creation of new customer service standards for employees and on-line initiatives to bring more information to citizens and to enhance accountability and openness.

Pilcher has diverse background in business and management. He joined the City in 2005 and helped create the new Division of Economic Development at the City. Previously, he was the chief operating officer at ConoverBond Development, vice president for strategic planning at Sunhawk.com, director of seaport business services at the Port of Seattle, and worked in management at Glacier Park Co. and its parent company, Burlington Resources.

He also founded a property management, investment, and consulting firm, working on projects in five western states and British Columbia, and he has significant experience in real estate development. Pilcher has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.

Within the community, Pilcher is a board member and treasurer for Spokane Athletic Club and a graduate of Leadership Spokane. He lives in Hangman Valley with his wife, Marni, and their 3-year-old daughter Anna Rose. He has climbed mountains on four continents, including a 21-day solo ascent of Denali in Alaska. He has taught corporate finance in the new MBA program at Whitworth College.