Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown has been selected to head the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) as its executive director.

Brown, who represents the Central Kitsap area on the county’s board of commissioners will begin his new job Jan. 2 and will replace Bob Drewel who is retiring a the end of the year.

Brown made the announcement of his departure at a meeting of county staff and another commissioner Thursday afternoon. He said his last day will be Dec. 31.

As executive director, Brown will lead the council’s staff. The council’s mission is “to ensure a thriving central Puget Sound now and into the future through planning for regional transportation, growth management and economic development,” states its website.

Previously, Brown served as the PSRC’s president.

The council is composed of central Puget Sound counties including King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap, cities and towns, ports, tribes, transit agencies, and the state for the purposes of working together to develop policies and make decisions about regional issues.

Brown was named to the position by PSRC’s executive board in a unanimous vote Thursday, according to a press release. He was selected from a nationwide search.

“Josh brings the perfect mix of energy, experience and commitment to regional collaboration to the role of PSRC executive Director, said Pat McCarthy, president of the council. McCarthy is Pierce County executive.

“He is deeply familiar with all aspects of the council and has shown outstanding ability to bring people together on transportation, growth and economic development issues.”

McCarthy said the executive search committee of 11 council members chose Brown from 115 applicants.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as PSRC executive director,” said Brown. “The challenges confronting our region – from economic competitiveness to protecting our quality of life – can only be solved with collaboration and partnerships.”

Brown will be paid $185,000 a year to head the council. He is a life resident of Kitsap County and is the senior member of the Board of Commissioners in Kitsap County. He has served for seven years. Prior to that, he was a commercial real estate broker.

Kitsap County Auditor Walt Washington said because Brown is a Democrat, the county Democratic party will begin immediately looking for a replacement.

They will forward three names to the other two county commissioners who will then make the appointment.