Calvin W. Goings, director of the City’s Department of Facilities and Administrative Services (FAS), is moving into a new role on the Olympic Peninsula after leading FAS for more than four years and serving the City for six.
Goings served under two Mayoral administrations and oversaw one of the most diverse portfolios in the City, including everything from Citywide payroll and business licensing, to management of the City’s 120-plus public facilities, 4,000-vehicle fleet, customer service centers and emergency management logistics.
From left to right: Calvin W. Goings, who served as FAS’ Department Director and CEO of the Community Vaccination Site at Lumen Field, with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Swedish Chief Quality Officer Renee Rassilyer-Bomers. Goings is moving into a new role following four years at FAS and six with the City.
“Calvin and his team have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to our vision for One Seattle by keeping our fleets and facilities safe, our doors open through winter storms, and by providing excellent customer service to City departments and the community; and so much more,” Mayor Harrell said in a note announcing Goings’ departure. “We cannot thank Calvin enough for his leadership, dedication and passion for serving the City over the past six years.”
Kiersten Grove, FAS’ Deputy Department Director, will step into the interim Department Director role. Grove has been a dedicated leader who brings to the interim role an intricate knowledge of and experience in FAS operations.
“FAS will continue its great services and unwavering commitment to our residents and I’m confident in the steady leadership and expertise Kiersten brings,” Goings said. “FAS teams demonstrate the very best of what it means to be public servants and they are capable, competent and committed to Seattle residents.”
Goings has been a key member of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Cabinet. He led a 500-person team, managed a $350 million annual budget and has overseen Seattle’s COVID-19 response and emergency management logistics, including standing up test sites and vaccination sites. In this capacity, he also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the largest civilian-led mass vaccination site in the U.S. at the Lumen Field Event Center. The site, launched and run by FAS teams in partnership with Swedish, provided over 102,000 life-saving vaccinations. Read more about FAS’ leadership during the pandemic here.
Goings nearly 30-year career has been largely dedicated to public service, starting as early as when he was 18, and ran for Fire Commissioner of Central Pierce Fire and Rescue and became one of the state’s youngest elected officials.
Prior to leading FAS, Goings was previously the Chief of Staff for Seattle City Light, the nation’s 10th largest public utility, where he led public engagement with elected officials, major customers and community organizations. Before joining the City, Goings led the U.S. Small Business Administration in the Pacific Northwest for the Obama-Biden administration and expanded support to women-owned, LGBTQ-owned and BIPOC-owned small businesses.
Goings has also served as a State Senator, and—in the private sector—he led the statewide Washington Credit Union Foundation and supported cooperative financial institutions in serving communities of color.
“I’ve been proud to work with City and community partners on efforts ranging from standing up the country’s largest civilian-run mass vaccination site to supporting BIPOC and women-owned businesses working with the City,” said Goings. “It’s been a true honor to serve the City of Seattle for the past six years and I am grateful to Mayor Harrell for the opportunity to support the OneSeattle vision. I look forward to working alongside the City of Seattle as a regional partner.”