Issaquah Highlands Community Association
Announces New Executive Director

Sarah Phillips

Photography by
Emily Goodnight,
The House Studio

Issaquah, Wash. (December 22, 2011)—The Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) is pleased to announce the selection of Sarah Phillips as executive director effective January 23, 2012. Phillips replaces retiring executive director Vicki Stier who has worked in various roles at the IHCA for nearly 10 years.

"Sarah brings tremendous experience in city management and community development," said Brian Daniels, president of the IHCA board of directors. "The search committee worked carefully over the last several months to find a candidate who could lead our community into the future. From the pool of candidates we received, Sarah was the best fit to ensure we continue to maintain Issaquah Highlands among the best communities in the country and one of the most desirable places to live in the Puget Sound region."

Phillips will begin in her new role on January 23, 2012. She has more than 15 years of experience in city management and public administration, most recently as the city manager of Rolling Meadows, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Phillips has extensive experience in economic development, capital improvement projects, and intergovernmental relations.

"I look forward to working with the board and staff as we continue to provide and enhance our services for this growing community," said Sarah Phillips, incoming executive director of the IHCA. "Additionally, I look forward to working with the many volunteers in the community and meeting the residents who call Issaquah Highlands home.

Phillips received a bachelor of science degree and master of public administration degree from Murray State University in Kentucky. She is a member of the International City / County Management Association.

"I am proud of what we have accomplished as a community over the last 10 years," said retiring IHCA executive director, Vicki Stier. "I am confident we are set up for success and that Sarah will hit the ground running come January."

Stier joined the developer, Port Blakely Communities, in 2002 as the executive director and over time assumed roles to become vice president of community organization and management for Port Blakely Communities, expanding her work from IHCA to include

Highlands Council and High Street Association. She announced plans to retire earlier this year and will re-locate to South Carolina with her husband. To ensure continuity and a smooth transition, Stier will provide consultation to the incoming executive director of the IHCA through the first quarter of 2012 and will complete her duties with Port Blakely Communities mid-year. She is credited for helping to shape the community into what it is today, building the IHCA to support the community as it grew from 300 homes to more than 3,000.

"Vicki’s genuine commitment and tremendous leadership have contributed significantly toward building a successful, sustainable community and we will all miss her," Daniels added.