Interim County Executive Kurt Triplett was unanimously appointed on Monday by the Metropolitan King County Council to serve as King County Executive. Triplett will serve until the results of the November general election for County Executive are certified.

“We had an impressive group of nominees and the council was faced with a difficult choice,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “I am confident Mr. Triplett will be able to capably lead us through this time of transition.”

“King County will benefit from Kurt’s perspective and experience during this time of transition in the Executive’s office,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, a Redmond resident. “I look forward to working with the Executive on giving King County’s unincorporated areas the attention and assistance that they deserve. In addition, I hope he will work closely with the district representatives on the Council both on budget and policy issues. At this time of economic stress, we need to weigh all costs carefully and be sure they are prioritized. It will take teamwork and cooperation to develop a budget within existing revenue.”

Before his designation as interim County Executive upon the resignation of former County Executive Ron Sims on May 8, Triplett served as the Executive’s Chief of Staff. He has also served as deputy director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and as Senior Legislative Assistant to former County Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan.

The appointment is the culmination of a selection process that began April 6 when the council adopted legislation to establish the blue-ribbon selection process. Former Executive Ron Sims resigned his office following his swearing-in as Deputy Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama Administration.