Department Bios

Mike Jackson, City Manager. Appointed Deputy City Manager in November 2007, Mike Jackson joined the City of Spokane Valley in June 2003 as its first Parks & Recreation Director. He developed the City's first Parks and Recreation Master Plan, assisted in negotiations with the City employees union, and served as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager and Deputy City Manager. He has over 25 years experience in the public sector and holds a Bachelors degree in Recreation Resource Management from Utah State University and a Masters degree in Management from Regis University.

Mark Calhoun, (incoming) Finance & Administrative Services Director.  Mark Calhoun joined the City as Finance Director in June of 2011 with more than twenty years of experience in municipal finance.  He came to Spokane Valley after sixteen years as Finance Director for the City of Wenatchee.  A graduate of the University of Montana, Calhoun holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting and Finance.   

Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk. Christine Bainbridge was appointed by the City as City Clerk in June 2003. Prior to the appointment she worked thirteen years for the City of Moscow, Idaho, two of which were as Deputy City Clerk, and four years as City Clerk. Ms. Bainbridge has a B.S. from the University of Idaho, with a major in English and a minor in psychology.

Neil Kersten, Public Works Director. Neil Kersten joined the City management team on July 7, 2003. He previously served 17 years as Public Works Director for the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Fairbanks, Alaska. Prior to working in Fairbanks, Mr. Kersten worked twelve years in private practice as a principal and project manager for several architectural, engineering and planning firms in the Midwest. Mr. Kersten received his B.A. in Architecture from Iowa State University; he is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is licensed as an Architect in the states of Washington and Alaska.

John Hohman, Community Development Director.  John Hohman was appointed Director of Community Development in July 2011.  He joined the City as the Senior Development Engineer in July 2003.  He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and is licensed in the states of Washington and California as a Professional Engineer.  His prior experience is a mix of both both public and private that includes working for Spokane County as a Development Services Engineer, acting as project manager for a Spokane area steel fabricator, and designing, managing and inspecting public works construction projects for over a decade.

Cary Driskell, City Attorney.  Cary Driskell was appointed Acting City Attorney in August 2010.  He joined the City as Deputy City Attorney in April 2003.  He graduated with a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1994, and is a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.  His prior experience includes that gained as an Assistant Public Defender for Spokane County in 2002/2003, and as a partner in a private land use litigation firm from 1996-2002.

Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director. Appointed Director of Parks and Recreation in March 2008, Mike Stone holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho. His experience includes parks and recreation management, strategic planning, and community collaboration. Prior to joining the City of Spokane Valley, he was employed by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department where he had served since 1982, most recently as its Director.

Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief.  Appointed Spokane Valley's Police Chief in March 2007, VanLeuven began his career as a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputy in 1981, working his way through a variety of assignments and promotions. He implemented the Gang Unit for the Sheriff’s Office and became its first Gang Specialist. His accomplishments include implementation and leadership for the Career Criminal Unit, Joint Fugitive Task Force, Property Crimes Task Force and others, leading up to his most recent assignment as the Sheriff’s Drug Unit Commander. VanLeuven holds an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from Spokane Community College.