State cities’ board elects Auburn mayor as secretary

Published 12:17 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus was elected as the secretary of the Executive Committee of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) by the board of directors earlier this year. Backus officially took office at AWC’s annual conference June 25 in Spokane.

AWC is a private, nonprofit organization that advocates for Washington cities in the state Legislature and executive branch, according to the City of Auburn’s June 26 press release. The corporation also provides training and data resources to support city leaders with more knowledge when making decisions on city issuess.

“I am honored to be elected to this role with the Association of Washington Cities, an organization I have been proud to support for many years, whose mission I deeply believe in,” Backus said.

The secretary position that Backus has assumed is for a one-year term within the AWC’s typical executive leadership sequence. Often, secretaries move on to serve as vice president and president in the following years, according to the press release.

“Mayor Backus is known as a collaborative, community-focused leader, and brings an important perspective on the challenges facing Auburn and cities throughout the state,” AWC CEO Deanna Dawson said.

She also shared what Backus’s new position means to AWC as well as all of Washington state.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Mayor Backus, and a recognition of Auburn’s growing voice in statewide conversations,” Dawson said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to help elevate the voices of cities and towns across Washington, especially in Auburn and South King County,” Backus said.