LAKEWOOD, Wash.- The Lakewood City Council officially welcomed its newest member to the dais Monday night. John Simpson was sworn into office with dozens of friends and wife Melanie in the audience.
“I am honored and humbled to serve this City,” said Councilmember Simpson, a former member of the Lakewood Redevelopment Board.
A native of Indiana, Councilmember Simpson is a tenured history professor at Pierce College. He has served as faculty president, and he has won the Outstanding Faculty Award 10 times. Moreover, for the past seven years Simpson has served on the College Cabinet.
Councilmember Simpson is also an award-winning photojournalist for the Ranger Newspaper. He has embedded on eight separate occasions to Iraq and Afghanistan with JBLM and Camp Murray soldiers. In 2007, he was nominated for an Emmy for his coverage, and he has won numerous awards for his reporting and photography.
A retired Air Force officer, Simpson is a life member of the Reserve Officer Association. He also holds memberships in the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, the Military Officers of America Association, American Legion Post 110 and the Washington Press Association.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and master’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
He and wife Melanie have three children.
His term expires December 31, 2017.
Mary Hammond says
Congratulations, John! One more hat for you to wear, and you’ll wear it well, I’m sure. Lakewood is lucky to have you.