Biography

Bruce Harrell and his family have been committed to community service in this region for over three decades. As an attorney and community volunteer, Bruce is known for his ability to create high performing teams and for resolving conflict. He has extensive experience in technology, strategic thinking and conflict management. Bruce began his public service in 1979 working for the Seattle City Council under Council President Paul Kraabel.

Bruce attended K-12 in Seattle Public Schools, graduating from Garfield High. He played football for the University of Washington (1978 Rose Bowl Champion, 1979 Sun Bowl Champion, 1st Team Academic All American and All Pac-10) and was subsequently elected to the UW Alumni Board of Trustees. He received the 2007 University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award in Political Science and 2008 Husky Legend award.

In 1984 Bruce graduated from UW's law school and has served in a variety of leadership roles, representing kids and seniors, union members, non-profits, affordable housing companies and working as a senior attorney for technology and telecommunication companies. Bruce has consistently protected the rights of people; always advocating for fairness, respect and civility. Bruce served as chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, and Chief Counsel to U S WEST.

In 2007, Bruce was elected to the City Council emerging from a field of five candidates who ran for the open seat vacated by Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck.  In 2011, Councilmember Harrell was overwhelmingly re-elected by the great people of Seattle.  Bruce chairs the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee, serves as vice chair of the Transportation Committee and serves as a member of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee.  He also sits on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Executive Board, chairs Performance First, a partnership to support minority-owned businesses, and is the Northwest Regional Director for the National Technology Adoption Advisory Council.

Bruce is married to Joanne Harrell and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Regents for the UW.  Joanne also sits on the Board of AAA of Washington, the Board of REI, and was previously the President and CEO of United Way of King County. They are raising their family in the Mt. Baker neighborhood. They enjoy the outdoors with their children, fishing, swimming and exercising.

2012-2013 Seattle City Council Committees
Chair: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology
Vice-Chair: Transportation
Member: Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture
Member: Labor Relations Policy
Alternate: Libraries, Utilities and Center
Member: SR 520 Project - Special Committee
Member: Budget - Special Committee
Member: Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program - Special Committee
Member: Library Levy - Special Committee

2012-2013 External Committees and Boards & Commissions Oversight/
Appointment Authority
Chair: Firefighters Pension Board
Chair: Police Pension Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board
Member: Regional Law Safety & Justice Committee
Member: Domestic Violence Prevention Council
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee (Clerk: Sabrina Buchanan, 2nd Tuesday starting in March)
Alternate: King County Board of Health
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable

Fire Code Advisory Board
Public Safety Civil Service Commission
OPA Review Board
Citizens Telecommunication and Technology Advisory Board
Seattle Women's Commission
Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities
Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission (LGBT)
Council on African American Elders

2010-2011 Committees
Chair: Energy, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee
Chair: Law and Risk Management Committee
Vice-Chair: Seattle Public Utilities & Neighborhoods Committee
Member: Parks & Seattle Center Committee
Alternate: Transportation Committee
Alternate: Public Safety & Education
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: Seattle Firefighters Pension Board
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Seattle City Light Review Panel
Seattle Citizens' Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board
Women’s Commission
People with Disabilities Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission
Human Rights Commission

2008-2009 Committees
Chair: Energy & Technology Committee
Vice-Chair: Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee
Member: Housing and Economic Development Committee
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: King County Flood Control Zone Advisory Committee
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Member: Reinvesting in Youth – Strategies to prevent youth from dropping out from school
Member: Public Safety Planning Client Group
Seattle City Light Advisory Committee
Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board