Samish Indian Nation Hires Kimberlee Anderson as Tribal Administrator and Ryan Walters as Director of Planning and Community Development

Anacortes, Washington – The Samish Indian Nation has announced that it has hired Kimberlee Anderson as Tribal Administrator and Ryan Walters as Director of Planning and Community Development.

Anderson previously held the position of grants and contracts officer for the Metlakatla Indian Community in Alaska. In that role, Anderson administered and managed more than 100 grants and contracts as well as negotiations with government agencies and provided oversight for all audits. She also supervised all grant applications, information technology and records retention. Tom Wooten, Chairman of Samish Indian Nation, had this to say of Anderson:

With her wealth of knowledge and experience in managing federal, state and private grants, the Samish Indian Nation is excited to welcome Kimberlee to this role. Her background and experience will be key in supporting Samish programs and strengthening our impact in key areas from health to natural resources.

Walters, an attorney and a fifth-generation resident of Anacortes, will be responsible for in-house legal review of contracts, ordinances, and policies adopted by Tribal Council. He most recently served as assistant director of Skagit County’s Planning and Development Services Department where he worked on modernizing the development code, improving its management and organizational structure and streamlining the permit process. Prior to that role, he was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Skagit County. He currently is in his seventh year serving as a member of the Anacortes City Council. Tom Wooten, Chairman, had this to say of Walters:

Ryan has championed good governance, responsible land use, and smart fiscal planning throughout Skagit County. I’m looking forward to his knowledge, experience and local presence to guide Samish and its Tribal Council on efforts moving forward across all departments.

Walters holds a law degree from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and French from the University of Rochester in New York.

Information submitted via a press release from the Samish Indian Nation.